HC Deb 16 December 1969 vol 793 cc1114-5
18. Mr. Graham Page

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he has issued figures projecting a crude housing surplus by 1973.

Mr. Denis Howell

The record rate of building in the last five years has meant that dwellings already outnumber households in Great Britain. By projection the excess should be about 1 million in 1973.

I must repeat, however, that this gives no cause for complacency. There will still be far too many bad houses needing clearance or improvement, and acute shortages in some areas. A high rate of house building, improvement and clearance will still be necessary.

Mr. Page

Is the Minister aware that the fantastic decline in house-building production dates from shortly after the statement of his predecessor that in 1973 we should have 1 million excess of homes over households? Was this a preconceived estimate as an excuse for the failure of the Government in housing? Would he like to revise the estimate now in face of reports from Shelter and many local authorities?

Mr. Howell

The important concern in human terms is that the community has ceased to build houses, or is building fewer local authority houses in areas where there is very great need and will be very great need for a long time. If the hon. Gentleman is saying that the Conservative councils that control these matters took such little notice of what my right hon. Friend was saying, when he was dealing exclusively with home ownership and not with local authority housing, I hope that he will now use his position and authority to put the record right with those authorities.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is my hon. Friend aware that we recognise that the so-called fantastic decline means a vastly increased effective number of houses built during the current year—more than the Tories achieved?

Mr. Howell

That is quite correct but I am not anxious to be in any way complacent. There are a lot of people living in slum conditions—[Laughter.]—hon. Gentlemen may be amused about it, but our obligation is by all means in our power to try to help these unfortunate people.