asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what restrictions are required by the Government in capital expenditure by local authorities and the Greater London Council which are working together on approved town expansion schemes, with particular reference to proposed expenditure on roads, sewers and factories.

Capital expenditure on town expansion schemes, other than housing expenditure, is included within the public expenditure which is to be reduced by 20 per cent. There may therefore be some postponement of schemes in expanded towns but it is too early as yet to say what these will be. Much will depend on whether authorities decide to give schemes for expanded towns preference within their locally determined sector allocations.