HC Deb 19 May 1971 vol 817 cc1253-4
17. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dwellings in Wolverhampton will be completed this year; and how many starts will be made this year and each of the next four years.

Mr. Channon

I would suggest that the hon. Lady should seek information on these points from the council. It is in the best position to know the details of the local situation.

Mrs. Short

Why does the Department consistently refuse to give this kind of information when it is asked for by hon. Members? Is not it clear that it has no indication of the real housing need of the nation? Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to know that at the moment there are 3,300 families on the Wolverhampton waiting list, and that the Tory-controlled council has built fewer and fewer houses each year. Furthermore, this year only 250 will be built by the local authority for letting.

Mr. Channon

The hon. Lady will appreciate that our practice follows precisely that of the previous Government, for the reasons given by my right hon. Friend a few moments ago. However, the hon. Lady will be encouraged to know that starts for the first quarter of 1971 in Wolverhampton are more than double the figure for the first quarter of last year.