§ 6. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he now makes of likely housing completions for next year as a consequence of his recent announcement on housing subsidies.
§ Mr. ChannonThe number of public sector housing completions in 1971 will be determined almost entirely by schemes already put to contract or under construction. The recent statement on housing finance will not affect it.
§ Mr. EadieIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the announcement about housing cuts in Scotland and all over the rest of the United Kingdom has created much anxiety about future housing completions? Will housing completions diminish or increase as a result of Government policy?
§ Mr. ChannonIt is a little unreasonable of the hon. Member to expect me to answer a question about Scotland. Scottish matters are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and if the hon. Gentleman wishes to ask about housing in Scotland, he should ask my right hon. Friend.
As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has said on repeated occasions, he is about to enter negotiations with the local authority associations. When they are completed, the House will know the result.
§ Mr. MarshIf the hon. Gentleman cannot answer questions about Scotland, can he answer them about England, for which he has responsibility?
§ Mr. ChannonI have already said that we are about to enter negotiations with the local authority associations. When those negotiations are completed, the House and the country will be in a better position to judge the results.