HC Deb 23 June 1982 vol 26 cc291-2
17. Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes in England and Wales are without inside sanitation.

Sir George Young

The 1981 census of population shows that 479,000 households living in permanent buildings in England and Wales did not have an indoor WC. That figure represents 2.7 per cent. of all households in permanent dwellings.

Mr. Howells

In view of the seriousness of the position, what plans does the Minister have to help local authorities to solve the problem?

Sir George Young

We have introduced mandatory intermediate grants to owner-occupiers, landlords and tenants to help with the cost of installation. Applications made before the end of this year are eligible for a grant of up to 90 per cent. That is one of the best offers that has been made to try to tackle this serious problem.

Mr.. Edwin Wainwright

Does the Minister agree that it is a condemnation of the Government that they allow so many hundreds of thousands of houses to have no indoor toilet facilities? What will the Government do? We have 3 million unemployed, among them thousands of building workers. Why cannot we build more houses and cure that terrible crime against society?

Sir George Young

I outlined the action that the Government are taking to make a further impact on the problem, but it is right to put the matter into perspective. The present figure of 2.7 per cent. must be contrasted with the 1971 figure of 12 per cent. We are tackling the problem.