HC Deb 26 November 1963 vol 685 cc63-4
19. Mr. Abse

asked the Minister of Housingand Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many housing associations have been formed or are under review in South Wales; how many flats are intended to be constructed by these associations; where they are intended to be located; what is the average price per acre paid by such associations; and what are the average anticipated rentals of flats to be charged to members.

Sir K. Joseph

Under Section 7 of the Housing Act, 1961, three housing associations have been formed to build in South Wales at cost rents: their approved schemes provide, in addition to 229 houses, for 536 flats in Barry, Penarth, Whitchurch, Cardiff and Newport; the average price per acre will be £7,409; and the estimated average rent of the three-bed roomed flats is £4 13s. a week, exclusive.

Mr. Abse

Is the Minister aware that many of these housing associations are about to build upon land which was hawked round South Wales for months, if not years? Is he aware that the Government, in taking over this land from the housing associations, have condoned these extortionate prices for land which are given by the land speculators of Wales? Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that many of these housing associations are, lamentably, being sponsored by the owners of the land, with a consequence that flats are going up at rents which clearly will be so high that, in the conditions in South Wales, they will not be taken up? Would it not be better, in order to reduce the waiting list for council houses, to apply the housing resources of South Wales to the repair of obsolescent houses rather than put up semi-luxury flats and allow this exploitation to go on?

Sir K. Joseph

There is no conflict between housing association activity and the rising local authority programmes which are going on in the area. My Department, with the help of the district valuer, makes a meticulous scrutiny of every stage of these proposals, including the cost of the land, which is vouched for by the district valuer before permission is given to go ahead. I have every confidence that these flats and houses at the rents proposed will be a very successful proposition.