asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to control the power now being exercised by city councils, compulsorily to purchase small business premises in the inner cities with a view to demolishing them and replacing them with public housing development.

No. Compulsory purchase orders already require confirmation by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his plans for sustaining small businesses in the central areas of principal cities.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 12 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Thornton).—[Vol. 973, c. 446.]