I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

I want to take this opportunity of thanking my right hon. and hon. Friends on the back benches, and hon. Members opposite, who have co-operated in securing the passage of the Bill. I also wish to thank my right hon. Friend the Minister and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary and their Department for all the help that I have received from them, and also the Clerks in the Public Bill Office.

The procedure contained in the Bill, which makes designation orders for new towns and major extensions subject to annulment by either House of Parliament, will not, in practice, have any delaying effect on the designation of new towns and, after their designation, getting them going. That is because, as I explained on another occasion, the first procedures which have to be taken—appointing the Chairman of the corporation and its members—can continue during the 40 Parliamentary days while the order is subject to a Prayer.

In practice, what we are doing will not hold up any development. But the Bill will make the Minister—who, in respect of a new town, is the initiator, financier, planner, developer, decider and, indeed, the final judge on appeal—directly accountable to both Houses of Parliament for the decisions he makes on designation orders. The Bill will, therefore, enable Parliament to do what I am certain the public regards as its proper job in respect of new town designation orders.