HC Deb 20 February 1968 vol 759 cc208-9
12. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses planned for civilian occupation have now been or are planned to be acquired for occupation under the emergency housing scheme by Servicemen returning from overseas as the result of the Government's defence cuts; what effect this will have on local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacColl

The total target under the emergency housing scheme is about 8,100 houses of which 2,750 have been completed and a further 5,000 are in process of acquisition. In most cases, these houses were already under construction or planned to be built by private builders, and local authorities will have taken that development into account in considering the demand on local services.

Mr. Marten

Will this not reduce the supply of houses to civilians and, therefore, increase somewhat the pressure on local authorities? Can the hon. Gentleman show these figures separately in the housing statistics? What is the cost of these houses?

Mr. MacColl

The cost is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. I think that private developers, if they want some further stimulus to build, will find this of help to their plans.

Mr. Lipton

Does my hon. Friend realise that, even with the provision made under the emergency housing scheme. the. extent to which local authorities make provision for Servicemen on their discharge from the Forces is still miserably inadequate?

Mr. MacColl

I think that local authorities hope to keep this matter very much to the forefront of their policy.