HC Deb 01 November 1966 vol 735 cc233-4
21. Mr. Scott

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a further statement on the housing returns.

Mr. Greenwood

I am considering whether changes should be made in the present form of the housing returns now that so much more housing information is regularly published in Housing Statistics.

Mr. Scott

Would the Minister agree that the reason we have had no housing return recently is that it would reflect the poor state of affairs? Is the responsibility for this to be laid at the door of the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor?

Mr. Greenwood

There is a monthly housing return and a brief monthly summary of construction. There is a full quarterly statement and a quarterly Appendix. Also Housing Statistics are prepared for quarterly publication. I do not think there is any lack of information on this very important subject.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the Minister aware that I wrote to his predecessor asking if statistics on industrialised buildings could be included in the quarterly housing return and that he promised this would be considered favourably? Yet no action has been taken.

Mr. Greenwood

I did not know about that. I will look into what the hon. Gentleman has suggested and, if it is practicable, I will see that it is done.