HC Deb 20 February 1968 vol 759 cc209-11
14. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses he estimates are likely to be completed in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

27. Mr. Murton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now announce a revised national housing target for 1970 and for the intervening years; and whether he will make a statement.

59. Mr. Allason

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what revisions he has now made to the 1970 housing target.

Mr. Greenwood

I expect the number of houses built in the United Kingdom in each of the years to 1971 to be well over 400,000. I am not, however, prepared to make precise estimates for particular years, since it is difficult to forecast with precision the performance of the private sector. The measures we have taken to stimulate the demand for home ownership should however help towards a good result. My aim is to see that every year the largest practicable number of houses are completed.

Mr. Allaun

Would the Minister agree that, even if the priority area programme is to be maintained, as I hope it is, houses should not be built elsewhere unless they are really needed? Would he therefore strive to get somewhere near the 500,000 level rather than the 400,000?

Mr. Greenwood

I have said that my aim is to see that every year the largest practicable number of houses is completed, and I shall certainly do everything that I can to achieve that aim.

Mr. Murton

The right hon. Gentleman has admitted his dependence upon the private sector. May I ask him how he expects the private sector to play its part when it is held back by Government Measures on the economic front? Is this the way that the Ministry intends to build a new Britain?

Mr. Greenwood

I have not admitted anything. The Government have always said that their object is to have building divided as to 50 per cent. private sector and 50 per cent. local authority. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the Government have provided the option mortgage scheme and the 100 per cent. guarantee scheme, which is something that hon. Gentlemen opposite never thought about.

Mr. Allason

The House will hear with deep regret the abandonment of the very sacred pledge to meet the 500,000 target. Even if the Minister is to abandon his target for public enterprise, could he not try again as regards private enterprise? If he could see that sites are available, so that private enterprise could build, then he might have a chance of getting nearer to his original target.

Mr. Greenwood

I am glad to hear the hon. Gentleman is sad, because his right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Rippon), in October, was complaining that we were building too many houses. It is very comforting to have the hon. Gentleman's assurance. We shall certainly do everything possible to allow local authorities to go ahead. This is not a cut in the number to be completed this year, it is a cut in a programme that we had anticipated would be possible in the years after 1968.

Mr. Crawshaw

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the economic prospects indicate that the private sector will not come up to its expected target? Would he therefore make every effort to increase the target for the public sector?

Mr. Greenwood

I have not set a target for the private sector, where, my hon. Friend will appreciate, it is not possible for the Government to set a target. There is every reason to believe that this year the private and public sector will build more houses than in 1967.