59 and 60. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Health (1) what is the position with regard to the provision of houses urgently required in Wallsend and Willington Quay under the slum clearance programme;
(2) what progress has been made with the housing programme entrusted by the Wallsend Council to the North-Eastern Housing Association; and what streets are being dealt with?
§ Mr. ElliotThe Wallsend-on-Tyne Town Council have completed 537 houses in connection with their slum clearance programme. Approval has been given to the erection of 264 further houses by the 2227 North-Eastern Housing Association on be-half of the council and I understand that work on the erection of these houses has been started. A scheme for the erection of an additional 142 houses by the association is in course of preparation, and it is expected that definite proposals will be submitted to the Commissioner for the Special Areas within a few weeks. I am informed that these houses will complete the council's slum clearance programme. No information is yet available in my Department as to the names of the streets in which unfit houses are to be dealt with by the council.
Miss WardWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, can he say whether these houses in the slum clearance programme will be completed by the end of this year?
§ Mr. ElliotI am afraid I cannot say that.
§ Mr. ElliotI do not think my Department can say it either.
61. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the Wallsend Council is making provision for the aged and single people in their slum-clearance programme?
§ Mr. ElliotI am informed that 129 small dwellings suitable for occupation by aged couples have been erected by the council in connection with their slum clearance programme and that a further number of similar dwellings are to be erected on the council's behalf by the North-Eastern Housing Association. I do not know at present what number of houses will be provided by the council for single persons.