HC Deb 27 April 1983 vol 41 c864
23. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what request was made by Sheffield for housing investment programme expenditure for 1983–84; and what amount was authorised.

Mr. Stanley

Sheffield's HIP bid for 1983–84 was for £67.4 million and its allocation was £25.2 million.

Mr. Hooley

Is that not typical of the position over the past three years? Is the Minister aware that Sheffield has persistently asked for money, which it is well capable of spending, to maintain an adequate housing programme, but that the money has been denied by the Government?

Mr. Stanley

The hon. Gentleman says that Sheffield is well capable of spending the funds. It looks as though Sheffield might end up with an underspend this year. I have enourmous doubts about whether Sheffield is remotely likely to be able to spend the sum for which it bid, as it is more than twice as much as it has ever spent in one financial year.

Mr. Flannery

Is it not a fact that Sheffield is being deliberately victimised by the Tory Government because of the success of its transport policy? Does the Minister agree that that victimisation has continued for several years, because the Tory Government are appalled at the success of that policy, and that every year more and more people vote Labour because of it?

Mr. Stanley

The only evidence of victimisation that I see in Sheffield is of the many council tenants who have tried to buy their houses.

Mr. Flannery

At half price.

Mr. Stanley

The local authority there puts every possible difficulty in their way.