HC Deb 20 January 1971 vol 809 cc1055-6
27. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of sites which had been acquired by the London Borough of Brent for building housing accommodation still available for building starts on 1st January, 1967, the number of units envisaged, the number of sites which have since been sold or offered for sale, and the number of units which will now not be built.

Mr. Channon

The hon. Member should apply for this information direct to the London Borough of Brent who have the precise details of the date on which they acquired sites and their plans relating to them.

Mr. Pavitt

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a tremendous shortfall in the housing programme because of such sites being sold? I am grateful to him for twisting the borough's arm in getting the rent rebate scheme put back in the area. Is he aware that in my constituency there are 9,800 people without fixed baths, 21,000 families who share baths, and 19,000 who share lavatories? Could he do something about the appalling conditions in the Borough of Brent by using his political influence on that borough?

Mr. Channon

I do not accept the implications of that supplementary question. We are all worried about housing conditions not only in Brent but in other parts of the country. I am delighted to see that the Borough of Brent propose to put to tender so many dwellings next year.

Mr. Freeson

Could the hon. Gentleman reconsider the last part of his reply and reserve his delight for a future occasion when this local authority increases its building programme? Is he not aware that there has been a cut of over 4,000 housing starts in the housing programme in 1969–72 by the present Conservative administration in the Borough of Brent?

Mr. Channon

What the House will be pleased to learn is that the council propose to put to tender nearly 2,000 dwellings this year and over 1,000 in 1972 and 1973. I hope that that will be considered to be a worth-while programme.