HC Deb 15 January 1981 vol 996 cc1127-8
3. Mr. Bradford

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total amount being allocated to housing in Northern Ireland for the 1981–82 financial year.

The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. David Mitchell)

I expect to be in a position to announce detailed financial allocations within the next few weeks. I am hopeful that these will be adequate to sustain a publicly assisted programme at least as large in real terms as in 1980–81.

Mr. Bradford

Do not our constituents deserve to be told about the number of houses that will be made available in Northern Ireland? When the Minister gets round to supplying a detailed breakdown of the allocation, will he try to afford the Northern Ireland housing associations as much of the £31 million as they require? Will he try to make it possible for the Housing Executive to build as many homes as it feels are needed, namely, 5,000 in addition to the 1,200 homes that are to be rehabilitated during the coming year?

Mr. Mitchell

I hope to be in a position to announce the precise details in the next few weeks. When I do so, I shall certainly have in mind the comments made by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Kilfedder

Is the Minister aware that even before the public expenditure cuts the Housing Executive was building only one-fifth of the total new housing that is desperately required in Northern Ireland, which has the worst housing situation in the whole of the United Kingdom? If he recognises the hardship that is caused to families on the ever-increasing waiting list, will he ensure that enough money is now made available to build the houses that are needed?

Mr. Mitchell

One cannot view the Housing Executive's programme in isolation, but must look at it in the context of, and with, the provision of the housing associations. As the hon. Gentleman will know, one must at the same time take into account the income from the sale of existing Housing Executive houses. On Monday I had the pleasure of handing over the deeds of the thousandth house sold by the executive. That helps towards the funds for house building.

Mr. Pendry

I congratulate the Minister on his new appointment and hope that he will be happy in his new role. Does he agree that an urgent statement of intent about next year's housing allocation is long overdue? Notwithstanding what he said in reply to the hon. Member for Down, North (Mr. Kilfedder), does the hon. Gentleman agree that he should match the words of his Department on the need for housing in Northern Ireland with the cash to remedy the situation there?

Mr. Mitchell

Housing authorities in the rest of the United Kingdom are suffering a reduction of 15 per cent. in their capital allocation, but I am hopeful that we shall fare somewhat better in Northern Ireland.