HC Deb 28 April 1971 vol 816 cc395-6
1. Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many properties in the London Borough of Haringey still remain in its slum clearance programme.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Paul Channon)

I have no detailed information about this, but the current programme, for the years 1970–73, comprises 1,823 houses. When this programme is completed, only isolated cases of need for clearance will remain to be dealt with.

Mr. Finsberg

Is my hon. Friend aware that his answer contrasts very favourably with the wild and exaggerated figure put forward by hon. Members opposite; namely, a figure of 5,000? Is he further aware that in four years of Labour rule in the Borough of Haringey 565 houses were built, whereas in the two-and-a-half years of Conservative rule 1,219 have been built?

Mr. Channon

It is undoubtedly true that in recent years the slum clearance programme has been considerably stepped up. I wish to congratulate the borough, especially since at the end of this period only isolated cases of need will remain to be dealt with.