§ 12. Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on housing conditions in the Greater Belfast area.
§ Mr. David MitchellHousing conditions in Greater Belfast are among the worst in the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the Housing Executive is giving highest priority to Belfast and it plans to commit about half of its total programme for the coming year in the city.
§ Rev. Martin SmythI thank the Minister for that information. In view of the state of the construction industry in Northern Ireland, is he aware that there is plenty of work that could be usefully done? Is he prepared to outline plans and specify dates for the completion of the redevelopment of the Donegall Pass, Lower Woodstock and Ravenhill areas, bearing in mind that the long delay is reducing the quality of life there and making it impracticable for shops to be viable?
§ Mr. MitchellIt is not possible to give precise dates for the completion of the three redevelopment areas that the hon. Gentleman mentioned. Much depends on the willingness of tenants to move. The decant problem has a major slowing-down effect on the programme itself. However, I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and give him full details of the executive's proposals in those areas.
§ Mr. SoleyWhen will the Government put the money into housing in Belfast and the surrounding areas that they deserve? We all know that 47.5 per cent. of the construction workers in Northern Ireland are unemployed and that the Province has some of the worst housing in Western Europe? When will there be more money to make up for the cuts that the Government have imposed?
§ Mr. MitchellThe hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that not only have we embarked on the largest house building programme in Belfast since the age of Queen Victoria, but that we are spending considerably more money than was the case when his Government were in office.