HC Deb 01 February 1971 vol 810 cc1233-4
17. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses were started and completed in the county borough of Newport in 1970; and how these figures compare with each year from 1962 onwards.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

With permission, I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hughes

If the hon. Gentleman will study the figures carefully he will notice that there is a vast difference between the house-building performance of this corporation when it was controlled by the Labour Party in Newport and the past three years or so when it has been controlled by the Conservative Party. Does not the hon. Gentleman feel that it is time to tell the Conservative group to get on with the job of providing the necessary houses for the people of Newport?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

It is interesting that the hon. Gentleman should have referred to this matter. I understand that the council intends seeking approval to build over 600 new houses in 1971. If this aim is achieved, it will be the highest figure for several years.