HC Deb 11 February 1985 vol 73 cc6-7
7. Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what response he has made to the findings of the Cynon Valley housing survey.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The 1981 Welsh house condition survey had already made clear the poor condition of much of the housing in the south Wales valleys. As the House well knows, the need for extensive renovation and repair lay behind the Government's recent grants initiative. The particular situation in Cynon valley—as in all district council areas—was taken into account when determining the housing capital expenditure allocations.

Mrs. Clywd

I am afraid that the Minister has not answered the question. On 24 January my council in the Cynon valley sent the Minister the house condition survey of the valley, which that 48 per cent. of private housing is unfit for human habitation. Will the Minister receive a deputation from the council and make additional resources available under the capital programme, to come out of the housing improvement programme, to deal with the serious and shocking housing conditions in the Cynon valley which without doubt are the worst in Wales and probably the worst in the whole of Britain?

Mr. Roberts

I am already aware of the council's request to send a deputation to see my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Consultative mechanisms already exist for discussing such matters. It would be easier to be more sympathetic Cynon valley if it had a better record of spending on renovating its private sector stock.

Mr. Roy Hughes

When will the Government recognise the need to build new houses in areas such as the Cynon valley, which has such massive unemployment? Does the Minister agree that a housing drive would not only improve the infrastructure at a stroke, but provide jobs where they are so vitally needed?

Mr. Roberts

It is for the local authorities to decide their spending priorities within their allocations. There is a record spend on housing for 1984–85. Apart from 1983–84, when there was exceptionally high expenditure on improvement grants, 1984–85 is the subject of the highest forecast expenditure figure for housing in Wales over a run of years going back to 1978–79.