§ 1. Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new housing starts there have been in the London borough of Waltham Forest in each of the past four years.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Sir George Young)The figures, which are published in "Local Housing Statistics". are: 464 in 1979, 219 in 1980, 261 in 1981 and 256 in 1982. However, in the first half of 1983 there were 241 starts, almost as many as in the whole of each of the two previous years.
§ Mr. DeakinsIs the Minister aware that those are rather paltry figures for a greater London borough with a considerable population? Is he further aware that they offer no hope to those of my constituents who are extremely inadequately housed, particularly in conditions of overcrowding and dampness? Do my constituents really have to wait another three or four years until we have a Government who would give their housing needs top priority?
§ Sir George YoungI hope that the hon. Gentleman will take a broader view of the housing need in his constituency and accept that many local authorities, particularly in London, are switching resources from new build into the modernisation and improvement of existing stock, into the modernisation of council estates, and into bringing vacant properties back into use. If he takes that broader view, I hope he will find that his constituents have a more encouraging picture than the one that he has just painted.
§ Mr. ProctorMy hon. Friend will be aware that the London borough of Walthan Forest council owns houses in my constituency of Billericay. I believe that discussions are taking place between Waltham Forest and Basildon about the transfer of those houses to Basildon. Does my hon. Friend envisage any difficulties over that transfer?
§ Sir George YoungIf the local authorities do not agree on the voluntary transfer my right hon. Friend has a role to play towards the end of the negotiations, and it would be wrong for me to prejudice his decision by commenting at this stage.