HC Deb 15 October 1975 vol 897 cc1340-1
5. Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a central register of the number of people on the housing waiting lists of each local authority in England and Wales.

Mr. Armstrong

No, Sir.

Mr. Ross

Does the Minister agree that such a central register would be helpful in formulating the Government's housing policy by illustrating particular areas of considerable stress at this time of high unemployment, when mobility of labour is essential?

Mr. Armstrong

The evidence is that waiting lists are not an accurate indicator of real housing needs. The practices of different authorities vary greatly. This matter has been given serious consideration. If we believed that a central list of the kind that the hon. Gentleman is proposing would make a real contribution, we should certainly undertake it. We have considered the matter carefully and, quite frankly, it is not an accurate indicator.

Mr. Molloy

Is my hon. Friend aware that conscientious local authorities concentrate very much on their waiting lists? What they cannot understand are the policies of the Liberal and Conservative Parties, which would deny them the land, not allow them to have any money, do away with their direct labour forces, and then complain that they are not building houses.

Mr. Armstrong

I agree with my hon. Friend. The great contribution that we can make is the contribution that we are making, to devote extra resources to housing so that people can be well housed.

Mr. Jessel

Will the hon. Gentleman go further than his original reply and say that council house waiting lists are practically useless as a measure of housing need, because large numbers of people not in need of rehousing are on the lists and at the same time substantial numbers of people in need of rehousing do not qualify to get on the lists?

Mr. Armstrong

I would not go as far as that. I have great confidence in local authorities, but practices vary throughout the country. Therefore, I see no great merit in the hon. Gentleman's proposition.