§ 21. Mr. C. Hughesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government details of the local authorities in England and Wales respectively, which have resolved not to build any further houses or flats for general needs.
§ 25. Mr. MacCollasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many of the housing programmes submitted to him by local authorities indicate 470 an intention to cut down building for general need.
§ Mr. SandysIn a circular sent out in July, I asked housing authorities to let me know the number of tenders they proposed to let in the current financial year. I am still awaiting replies from a third of these authorities. I will publish the figures as soon as the returns are complete.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that a serious situation is arising because many little authorities have resolved not to continue building houses for the general need? Is he further aware that many more local authorities will cease to build houses for general need when the £10 subsidy is done away with and that thus many thousands of people will be deprived of the hope of homes? Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that his entire attitude towards housing is antisocial and harsh?
§ Mr. SandysIt is the Government's deliberate policy to encourage local authorities to give higher priority to slum clearance, and that policy is succeeding.