§ 33. Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the Greater London Council has provided for council mortgages in the years 1969–70 and 1970–71.
§ Mr. Channon£11.9 million in 1969–70 and £49.1 million in 1970–71.
§ Mr. BakerIs my hon. Friend aware that that last figure represents a tenfold increase over the figure three years ago when the Labour Government slapped on controls? As the G.L.C. now receives applications at the rate of 400 to 500 a week, throwing the emphasis upon smaller and older houses, is not it a significant contribution made by the Tory-controlled G.L.C. to London's homeless?
§ Mr. ChannonAll objective and fair-minded people will agree that it is a remarkable contribution.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that every report ever made on the subject has been quite clear that the major need in London is the building of houses for letting? On this count, has not the Tory-controlled G.L.C. failed lamentably?
§ Mr. ChannonThat is a totally unfair distortion of the position.
§ Mr. FreesonWill the hon. Gentleman reconsider that last reply and accept that there has been a major reduction in the 367 number of housing starts per year by the Greater London Council in the last three years, and is not that a process which is in urgent need of a complete reversal? There is a need for an immediate increase in local authority building by the G.L.C., as there is by other borough councils in London, in order to get over the problems which have been created by a reduction of one-third—10,000 housing starts—in the last three years by the Tories on an annual basis of housing construction.
§ Mr. ChannonWe all know that the hon. Gentleman is very sensitive on this matter. However, I am answering a Question, to which he should address himself, about the amount of council mortgages, which his Government reduced to the point of utter meanness.