§ Andrew SelousTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what responses he has received to the consultation about the creation of an urban development corporation for South Bedfordshire; and what progress there has been towards the creation of an urban development corporation for South Bedfordshire. [168793]
§ Keith HillMy right hon. Friend Lord Rooker wrote to all local authorities in the Luton-Dunstable-Houghton Regis (LDHR) growth area in early May 2003 asking them to explore options for a local delivery vehicle to manage the growth envisaged in and around Luton and adjoining areas. Local partners have now proposed that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister establish an urban development corporation for the growth area and we are considering this as one of the options. Alongside this is work to establish the location and level of growth in this area, and the testing of growth proposals set out in the Milton Keynes/South Midlands sub regional strategy is part of this process. There has been no decision on the vehicle or the area it might cover at this stage.