HC Deb 14 June 1978 vol 951 c998
14. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent progress has been made in declaring housing action areas.

Mr. Armstrong

Up to the end of May 282 housing action areas have been declared in England, 43 of them since 1st January this year.

Mr. Whitehead

In order to build upon that impressive rate of progress, will my hon. Friend give sympathetic consideration to those groups of householders and tenants who wish to make joint opposition at local inquiries to plans for wholesale demolition and clearance, rather than simply opposing piecemeal the categorisation of their own houses, and to put forward alternative proposals for housing action areas?

Mr. Armstrong

I am aware of the situation in the Derby City Council area, but we have no power to compel a local authority to declare a housing action area. It is a matter for the local authority. However, I shall certainly consider what my hon. Friend has said.