STEVENAGE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BILL (By Order)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 7:38 pm on 26 March 1980.

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Photo of Mr Bowen Wells Mr Bowen Wells , Hertford and Stevenage 7:38, 26 March 1980

The introduction of the Bill as it was presented in Stevenage by the borough council has caused me a great deal of difficulty and personal distress. One of the most difficult positions in which an hon. Member can find himself is to be opposed virulently to the borough council, which at a cost of £20,000 has used the entire resources of its public relations department to promote the Bill and to put forward views in favour of it.

I have been confined solely to the columns of the newspapers whenever I could get them to publish my views accurately. Therefore, we have been seriously misrepresented in Stevenage, and it is little wonder that a petition has been collected in Stevenage. Although 10,000 people have signed it, I have not seen it. The people of Stevenage have been encouraged to believe that the Bill will bring a bonanza, as a result of which they will probably not have to pay any rates at all, and will end up with the most magnificent facilities that will be available in any town in the country. Of course, they will petition on that basis.

I understand that I shall not have an opportunity to speak again and, therefore, I should like to refer to some of the points raised by the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens). The public relations department of Stevenage borough council was used to collect the signatures for the petition. Many of the signatories were children. Anybody who could be found on the streets was asked to sign it.

The purposes of the Bill have not been adequately presented to the town nor has there been a proper debate of the issues in Stevenage. In view of the promises made by the council I am not surprised that 10,000 people signed this petition which I have not seen.