§ 4. Mr. Crowtherasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from housing associations about the allocation of resources for the provision of rented accommodation during the next financial year.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Sir George Young)We have received a number of representations from housing associations about the importance of making continued provision for rented accommodation. As my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction said in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, North (Mr. Durant) yesterday, the Housing Corporation's 1982–83 development programme for England will include provision for new fair rent schemes about 20 per cent. higher in real terms than in the current year.
§ Mr. CrowtherDoes the Under-Secretary agree that housing associations have carried out an extremely useful job in supplementing local authority housing provision? Therefore, will he assure the House that the high level of resources will continue, at least throughout the lifetime of this Government, until a new Government are elected, who will do the job even better?
§ Sir George YoungAs chairman of the Acton housing association for seven years, I endorse what the hon. Gentleman said about valuable role of housing associations in tackling housing need. We have increased the resources available to the Housing Corporation for next year in recognition of the valuable role that it plays and will, I hope, continue to play.