§ 9. Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total of public sector housing starts in inner London in 1978–79; and what is the expected figure for 1983–84.
§ Sir George YoungDuring 1978–79, 6,500 public sector dwellings were reported as started in inner London. My Department has made no estimate for 1983–84.
§ Mr. DubsIs not the truth that there was a disastrous fall in housing starts in inner London in the public sector as well as in the private sector over the years of the previous Conservative Government, which means that there is no hope of decent housing for the thousands of families with young children who are badly housed or living in tower blocks? Is it not right that the Government have no policy to meet the housing needs of the disadvantaged in inner London?
§ Sir George YoungNo, that is not so. Starts in the private sector in London in 1982 were the highest for nine years. Public and private starts in Wandsworth, for the last year for which we have figures, were up nearly 100 per cent. over 1978–79.