§ 18. Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state, for the County Borough of Oldham, the number of unfit dwellings planned for demolition during the municipal year 1970–71, the number of municipal replacements scheduled for commencement in the same year and, on that basis, how many years will be required to overcome the remaining backlog of rehousing.
§ Mr. FreesonOldham should clear about 1,000 unfit houses during the municipal year 1970–71 as a consequence of action already in train, and I am aware of building schemes amounting to 273 dwellings scheduled for commencement in the same period.
I shall be discussing with representatives of the Council the reasons for its decision to reduce the programme of new housebuilding, and the effect which this could have on the rate of slum clearance.
§ Mr. MappIs my hon. Friend aware that 11,000 Oldham householders are now likely to be living in unfit houses, over three times the period that they would have done if a Labour Council continued in office? May I put the specific point to him that regardless of the political complexion the problem of financing the rehousing programme between the stage of clearing the unfit houses and bringing the first new housing unit within the subsidy of 4 per cent. is very onerous financially to the Corporation? Can he examine that specific point and, if so, how soon?
§ Mr. FreesonI will certainly accept that whereas there has been a considerable increase in the financial assistance given by the Government under the Housing Act, 1957—it is running at about three times the previous rate of Government subsidy—there is nevertheless a difficulty in this interregnum period. I am afraid that I cannot give the undertaking on behalf of my hon. Friend that has been requested. It is well to bear in mind that in places like Oldham there are other difficulties regarding the clearance of slums—that is non-revenue producing sites in certain towns whose populations are contracting.