§ Mr. BenyonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the wind-up of the Milton Keynes development corporation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoFollowing careful consideraiton of the representations received in the course of our consultation under section 41 of the New Towns Act 1981, I have decided that Milton Keynes development corporation should be wound up on the target date of 31 March 1992. The necessary order will be made in due course.
It is important that Milton Keynes be brought to completion to the high standards established by the development corporation and that inward investment and promotion of the city continue. The Commission for the New Towns has much experience in handling the completion of development, and I am confident that it has the flexibility to meet the particular and acknowledged needs of Milton Keynes. I am asking the commission to pay special attention to balanced development to continuing high standards at Milton Keynes and to inward investment there. I am also asking the commission to move towards the establishment there of a new promotion agency, in conjunction with the local authorities and the private sector. This agency will have a dedicated budget.