§ 17. Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the number of new units of accommodation necessary to meet anticipated demand over the next three years in Wales; and if he will make a statement on whether resources will be available to meet that demand.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsAny assessment must be subject to a great many uncertainties; but we believe at present that about 11,000 new units a year might be needed. The private sector will make its own judgment about the demand for new housing and how to meet it. Future resources for new build in the public sector will largely depend on the priorities that local authorities place on other forms of capital expenditure.
§ Mr. AndersonDoes that not amount to an abdication of responsibility? Does the Welsh Office understand the need to set the demand from the public and private sectors against the supply, and which body can co-ordinate that other than the Welsh Office?
§ Mr. RobertsThere is no abdication of responsibility. We acknowledge the role of the public sector. In the current year local authorities are expected to build about 1,450 houses. In addition, there will be about 500 of new build by the Housing Corporation, and we are assisting the building of another 378 houses through the urban development grant. The private sector is expected to contribute about 3,360 dwellings, but, as I said earlier, it 429 is entirely for the local authorities to decide their priorities for capital spend and to decide how much of their spending will be on new build.