HC Deb 21 July 1966 vol 732 cc844-5
8. Mr. E. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many houses in tender have been approved by his Department to the latest convenient date this year; how this compares with the corresponding period last year; and how the estimate for 1966 compares with last year.

Mr. Ifor Davies

Up to 16th July, 4.604 public sector houses have been approved compared with 6,304 in the same period of last year. But a number of very large schemes are on the point of being approved and my right hon. Friends expects the total for 1966 to exceed that for 1965.

Mr. Rowlands

Does my hon. Friend consider the target for this year to be sufficient for Wales? Wales not only has a lot of old property, but needs more houses for workers coming in because of new office development and industry.

Mr. Davies

The initial estimate for the number of houses in the public sector under construction at the end of June was 13,553, compared with 12,287 in the same period last year.

9. Mr. E. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many housing loans have been granted by local authorities in Wales this year; what is the total amount; and whether he will extend the categories of applicants for loans in order to stimulate the sale of houses generally.

Mr. Ifor Davies

During the first four months 822 loans, totalling £1,272,000, were granted. My right hon. Friend is ready to consider any representations that authorities may wish to make about the categories of persons who may apply for loans.

Mr. Rowlands

Will my hon. Friend consider extending the category of applicants to those who wish to buy houses built between the wars, which is excluded at the moment?

Mr. Davies

My right hon. Friend will be pleased to give every assistance in this matter, and paragraph 4 of Circular 16 of 1966 gives an assurance that special circumstances will be considered.