HC Deb 15 November 1973 vol 864 cc649-51
7. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the monthly average of home starts in Northern Ireland for 1973, and how this compares with 1972, 1971 and 1970; what are the reasons for the drop; and what steps are being taken to stop the decline.

The Minister of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. David Howell)

The monthly average of house starts in Northern Ireland over the first nine months of 1973 was 803, compared with 908 in 1972, 1,192 in 1971 and 1,003 in 1970. The decrease in activity in the public sector is largely due to the effects of the disturbances, particularly in redevelopment areas. Every effort is being made to overcome these problems, but a full recovery in the programme must depend upon a return to normality in the disturbed areas.

Mr. Mills

Are not these figures of great concern since the housing starts programme seems to be running into considerable difficulties? In underlining the great need which exists for additional housing in Northern Ireland, particularly for those coming from areas of tension, and also recognising the great difficulties which exist in this whole subject, may I ask my hon. Friend to intervene and try to pinpoint the particular problem areas for house starts and to give every assistance in trying to solve the problem?

Mr. Howell

I am glad to do that and every effort is now being made to pinpoint the difficulties. My hon. Friend puts his finger on the point when he talks about areas of tension. We are dealing with a situation in which there has been enormous movement of the population, with a great reluctance on the part of certain people to live in areas where they may feel themselves in danger. As a result there is a very difficult situation when it comes to providing houses in places where people are willing to live.

Mr. Fernyhough

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that the reduction in housing starts in Northern Ireland is no greater in percentage terms than it is in this country? If he attributes the reduction in starts in Northern Ireland to violence and uncertainty, to what does he attribute the fall in this country?

Mr. Howell

This is not my responsibility. Those who are familiar with the scene in Northern Ireland recognise the situation as particularly difficult. The Housing Executive does an extremely difficult job very efficiently, and I believe that it deserves credit for what it does.

Mr. Fitt

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are many thousands of homeless families in Northern Ireland, particularly in North and West Belfast, who have been forced to leave their homes as a result of intimidation by one set of extremists or another? Is he further aware that the Housing Executive has placed a limit on the amount of money it is prepared to pay to buy homes to rehouse these people and that the figure of £3,500 is completely unsatisfactory and is causing a great queue on the housing list? Will he say that he will have a further look at this figure to see whether it is possible to increase it?

Mr. Howell

I am acutely aware of the severe housing shortage and the overcrowding in West Belfast and other areas. I am not sure about the figure to which the hon. Member refers. If he is referring to the civil disturbance purchase scheme, this is something we have been reviewing. It is making progress and I am confident that we will be able to overcome the difficulties and make it even more effective.

Mr. Stallard

May I draw the attention of the Minister to an article which appeared recently in the Sunday Times dealing with the activities of property speculators in Belfast? Is he aware that this article mentioned the name of the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) who raised this question? Will he accept from those of us who have had experience of these same property speculators that we would not want this problem to be transferred to Belfast?

Mr. Howell

I am not in a position to comment on newspaper articles of a speculative kind.

Mr. Mills

On a point of order. I apologise for intervening, Mr. Speaker, but as my name has been mentioned I think the House should know that shortly after that article appeared The Times on 9th October published a full apology saying that there was no connection between either myself or any company with which I was associated and the items to which the article referred.

11. Mr. Molyneaux

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive about manpower shortages in the repair and maintenance sectors.

Mr. David Howell

None, Sir, but close liaison exists between the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Housing Executive on the general question of the supply of construction manpower.

Mr. Molyneaux

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he accept that, in the flexibility of interpretation of stage 3, statutory bodies are at a disadvantage compared with private contractors? Will he therefore encourage the Housing Executive to make greater use of private contractors for repair and maintenance work?

Mr. Howell

It may be that my hon. Friend has a particular point in mind. If he will write or contact me I will gladly take it up with him. I think he is talking about a specific point.