§ 20. Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what part of the published housing public expenditure total for 1985–86 constitutes the housing investment programme.
§ Mr. GowNo decisions have yet been taken on the breakdown of the housing public expenditure programme for 1985–86.
§ Mr. FraserWill the Minister confirm that the forecast for total housing expenditure in 1985–86 is only one third of the expenditure level in 1979–80? Will he at least fight to preserve the present miserable levels of housing investment programmes and to prevent further slashing cuts of the kind that have taken place since the Government came to office?
§ Mr. GowThe hon. Gentleman generates too much indignation. The White Paper published in February shows that total spending for housing is £2,496 million for the current financial year and £2,610 million for the coming financial year.