HC Deb 06 December 1966 vol 737 cc1131-2
7. Mr. Winnick

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps are being taken by his Department to encourage the growth of cost-rent housing schemes for those mainly unable to acquire council accommodation but also not able to purchase a house of their own.

Mr. Mellish

The Housing Corporation is responsible for encouraging the development of cost-rent and co-owner-ship housing. A total of 371 new associations has been formed since it began work in January 1965, and progress is continuing. Co-ownership societies will be covered by the option mortgage scheme published yesterday and no further stimulus seems to be required from us at present.

Mr. Winnick

Would my hon. Friend agree that there is a desperate need for accommodation, especially for young married couples and those with young children who cannot get council accomomodation and cannot afford to buy a house of their own, and that more should be done to encourage cost-rent housing schemes? Is he aware that in Croydon the local church housing society has taken the initiative by building 50 units of accommodation to be let at cost rents?

Mr. Mellish

Let us get on record that the Government are anxious to extend the principle of co-ownership associations and housing associations. I ask my hon. Friend to wait and see the report of the Housing Corporation. He will find that it is asking to go ahead, and I hope that this movement will expand.

Mr. Allason

The Parliamentary Secretary told us that this will apply to co-ownership schemes, but it is the cost-rent housing associations which really need help. Is it not a fact that the Government have just refused to grant a subsidy when it was requested by the Housing Corporation for this very purpose?

Mr. Mellish

I suggest that the hon. Member raises that question when we debate the Housing Subsidies Bill.