HC Deb 02 December 1981 vol 14 cc229-30
14. Mr. Douglas-Mann

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the light of the reports by the Environment Committee on the impact of public expenditure decisions in the field of housing.

Mr. Stanley

I refer the hon. Member to Cmnd. 8435, published last Friday.

Mr. Douglas-Mann

Does the Minister consider that the Government's reply to the Select Committee report was a disgrace that should prompt him to consider his resignation? Has he noted the recent report from the Housing Centre Trust? It confirms the Committee's assessment that there will be a shortage of 500,000 homes by the end of this Parliament. Has he noted the article in The Times yesterday on Shelter's findings, which also endorse the Select Committee's report? Has he also noticed the editorial in The Guardian confirming the views expressed by the Select Committee that the consequences of the Government's failure to respond to the need for housing is creating a potential disaster from which future generations, like the present generation, will suffer?

Mr. Stanley

Our view is that our response to the Select Committee was positive and constructive. We shall see whether the Select Committee as a whole takes the same view as the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Squire

Will my hon. Friend continue to bear in mind the importance of uprating the value of our housing stock? In the context of Government expenditure, will he look in particular at the large number of houses and units that are currently in a state of disrepair and are housing people who expect to be in better accommodation?

Mr. Stanley

As my hon. Friend knows, I cannot anticipate the statement that will be made shortly by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor. I repeat what I said earlier. During the current financial year I hope that local authorities will make full use of their capital allocations and receipts because, as my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary said in reply to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Dean), there are indications that a number of authorities may not be making full use of their available resources.

Mr. Stoddart

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his name and that of his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be cursed by present. and future generations of young people on the housing waiting lists as the housing crisis develops during the rest of this decade? Bearing in mind that 300,000 building workers are on the dole, and that thousands of building firms are going into bankruptcy, will he now reverse his policy and again put housing on the map?

Mr. Stanley

If the hon. Gentleman really wants to get additional money into housing, I hope that he will join me in encouraging many Labour authorities to get on with the business of selling houses.