§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the arrangements for winding up the Basildon development corporation.
§ Mr. TraceyMy right hon. Friend has considered the point made by my hon. Friend in the rates debate on 25 February at column 846. Nevertheless, he has concluded that it is right to proceed with our previously announced plan. An order under section 41 of the New Towns Act 1981 has been made today, the effect of which will be to transfer the property rights and liabilities of the corporation to the Commission for the New Towns on 1 April 1986, and to dissolve the corporation on 30 June 1986. The Commission for the New Towns will round off the programme of development in the town, and will in particular carry forward a number of important road schemes. The commission will pursue the question of transfer of the corporation's rented housing to the district council and, meanwhile the position of the corporation's tenants will be unaffected by the change from the corporation to the commission.