§ 1. Mr. Birchasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the reduction of 15,000 houses in England and Wales announced in Command Paper No. 3515 will be in Wales; and in which authorities they will be.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Ifor Davies)About 1,000. It is too early yet to say which authorities will be affected. My right hon. Friend will not, however, impose any restrictions in the areas of greatest need.
§ Mr. DaviesI assure the right hon. Gentleman that my right hon. Friend will look at this matter very closely and priority will be given to authorities where needs arise from industrial development and to authorities which have the greatest obsolescence problems.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattDoes not the Under-Secretary agree that a good deal of time has now elapsed since devaluation during which the Government should have been thinking about their policies in this respect? Would it not be more helpful if the Secretary of State could now tell North Wales, South Wales, East Wales and West Wales which areas will be affected?
§ Mr. DaviesThis matter is receiving the closest attention. The number of houses built has been a record figure. The figure of 1,000 should be regarded as a diminution in the rate of increase rather than as a reduction.