§ Mr. Gwilym JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he has now completed the review of the new town responsibilities of the Development Board for Rural Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Development Board for Rural Wales and its predecessor body, Mid Wales Development Corporation, have worked effectively to achieve a doubling of the population of Newtown, Powys. With that target virtually reached, I have concluded that further development of the community as a new town—whether on the basis of New Towns Act powers or of other 129W provisions in the Development of Rural Wales Act—would not be justified. I am now asking the board to dispose of its housing and community assets by 31 March 1993. That transfer will be effected by the provisions of section 172 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. I am also asking the board to intensify its consideration of means by which its industrial and commercial assets in Newtown can be disposed of to the private sector on acceptable terms.