§ 31. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the extraordinary burdens faced by some older industrial towns and cities in rebuilding and redevelopment; if he will state the estimated capital expenditure for the next five or 10 years for Salford, Oldham, Blackburn or any similar authorities about which he has figures; and whether he will consider special Government assistance to them.
§ Sir K. JosephWhile I am aware of the house-building and central redevelopment proposals of these towns they do not submit to me their anticipated capital expenditure over a specific period. But the cost of large-scale redevelopment is certainly heavy and it is for this reason that I encourage local authorities to undertake as much of it as possible in partnership with private enterprise. Rate deficiency grant and housing subsidies already exist to help those authorities whose commitments are large in relation to their resources, and assistance with redevelopment is also provided throught the general grant.
§ Mr. AllaunDoes the Minister agree that this terrible legacy from the Industrial Revolution is afflicting mainly about 50 towns and that this burden is too heavy for them to bear alone? Is it not a national problem that requires financial aid from the Government?
§ Sir K. JosephIt is because of the burden on these towns that we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the housing subsidy position.