HC Deb 09 January 1985 vol 70 cc776-7
12. Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate how many houses were completed in the north-west region in 1979, and 1983; and how many are expected to be completed in 1984.

Sir George Young

Dwelling completions in 1979 and 1983 were about 23,900 and 18,200, respectively. The Department has made no estimate of the 1984 total, but completions in the first three quarters were about one fifth more than in the same period of 1983.

Mr. Lloyd

Is not that reply a disgrace to the Government? Are they not becoming the Government of slum dwellers because housing stock in the north-west is not being replaced or improved fast enough to ensure that its quality does not deteriorate dramatically? The Minister said that he did not threaten to resign. Is it not a shame that he did not take that step and so provide relief for all local authorities in the north-west?

Sir George Young

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will consider the broader picture, in particular private sector starts in the north-west. In 1982 and 1983 there were more private sector starts than in 1979. I am confident that that figure will be exceeded in the current year. Rather than concentrate on public sector housing, one must take a broader view of what is happening in the north-west. Completions in the first three quarters of 1984 were higher than in the preceding year. I hope that we can maintain that trend.