HC Deb 07 April 1970 vol 799 cc219-20
11. Mr. Alan Lee Williams

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the amount of housing subsidy given in the last year for which figures are available to the London Borough of Havering.

Mr. Freeson

About £334,000 in 1969–70, Sir.

Mr. Williams

In spite of the large sums of money involved, would my hon. Friend agree that the London Borough of Havering last year completed only about a dozen houses? Has he had an opportunity to send for the leaders of the council to get them to complete more houses next year?

Mr. Freeson

Havering is one of those authorities which we have added to the list of authorities we are visiting for detailed discussions about their housing situation. We are very concerned not just with the position as it has been stated by my hon. Friend, but in relation to the prospects in the borough; planning for future housing programmes. I have invited representatives from the borough to meet me to discuss all aspects of their housing situation with a view to increasing their efforts.

Mr. Rossi

Do not the housing statistics for 1969 show that Havering completed 529 houses, and not a dozen or so as mentioned by the hon. Gentleman? Why did not the Minister correct him?

Mr. Freeson

The hon. Gentleman should be more concerned, as we are in this House and in the Department, to get the housing programmes of this and other boroughs, which are in grave need of houses, increased instead of participating in efforts to reduce house building under the leadership of the hon. Member for Worcester (Mr. Peter Walker), who is not here today.