Kevin Hollinrake MP for Thirsk and Malton has made it clear that it cannot be acceptable for one local authority to use new clauses in the Neighbourhood Planning Bill to avoid its responsibility in terms of the provision of required housing in its area by palming it off on a neighbouring local authority. Mr Hollinrake raised the matter in the House of Commons during a debate on the Neighbourhood Planning Bill. The clauses would allow the Secretary of State to require local authorities to work together to provide housing needs for their areas. Mr Hollinrake said that the idea that a local authority like York, which still hasn’t produced its local plan, might fob its commitments off to Hambleton must not happen. He said that just because one authority is delivering on its commitments it should not have to give up its space and green fields to another, which is failing to do so. The Housing Minister, Gavin Barwell MP, said that it is up to local authorities to produce local plans which address the housing needs in their areas but that they should not get too excited because the intention is not to make regular use of this power.