HC Deb 14 July 1970 vol 803 c1356
28. Mr. Leonard

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what undertakings have been given so far this year to his Department by the London Borough of Havering concerning the number of houses which the Borough proposes to build this year and next.

Mr. Channon

The council is to give further consideration to the size of its future house-building programme as soon as the results of a detailed survey by its own officers of the needs of the borough are available.

Mr. Leonard

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that until the Conservative Party won control of Havering, the borough council was building 800 houses a year, but that its first proposal this year is to build only 12 houses? Is he aware that continual prodding from his Department is necessary if the 4,000 people on the waiting list of this borough are to stand any chance of being rehoused?

Mr. Channon

I do not accept the figure of 12 houses which the hon. Gentleman gives as the council's target. However, I hope to see the study when the council has prepared it, and then I will discuss it with the authority.