HC Deb 30 March 1981 vol 2 c14
17. Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the progress of the Government's housing strategy in Wales.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

As I told the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) on 2 March, no Minister can ever be satisfied so long as there is inadequate housing anywhere in Wales. We have tried to ensure that, within the resources available, local authorities and housing associations have a sufficient allocation in 1981–82 to enable them to undertake worthwhile programmes. As those who were present last Wednesday at the Welsh Grand Committee will know, I have announced further allocations for 1981–82 totalling £7.36 million.

Special emphasis is being given to the promotion of low cost home ownership in Wales. This can go some way to meeting housing need with little or no recourse to public expenditure.

Mr. Anderson

Is the Minister aware of the report of the directors of housing in Wales to the affect that we need a threefold increase in house building totals of last year if we are to maintain the current standards of housing? Are the Government planning, by their expenditure plans, accelerated decline in the Welsh housing stock, greater homelessness and greater unemployment in our construction industry?

Mr. Roberts

The hon. Gentleman will know from previous answers I have given that the trend towards reduced house building was manifest under the Labour Government. In 1975, 8,336 houses were built, in 1979 there were 4,351, a drop a nearly 50 per cent. Of course, the Government are concerned about housing in Wales but housing has had to take a reduction in capital spending. The Government have, under the Housing Act, a 10-point scheme for improving houses and for enabling local authorities to increase their housing allocations through council house sales and using that money to improve properties.

Sir Raymond Gower

In view of the high proportion of persons in Wales who own the older types of houses, is my hon. Friend satisfied that, even though the improvement scheme has been upgraded, it is adequate to meet the peculiar needs of the Principality in that respect?

Mr. Roberts

I am satisfied, because when we drafted the relevant provision of the Housing Act covering improvements, particularly improvements for sale, the interests of Wales and of owners of older properties in Wales were very much in our mind.