HC Deb 22 January 1986 vol 90 cc301-2
12. Mr. Galley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made by the urban housing renewal unit; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

The urban housing renewal unit is making excellent progress in helping local authorities implement a range of imaginative solutions to the problems of their rundown estates. The unit is concentrating its efforts on the 69 authorities with the worst problems, and has already visited 43 of those, offering detailed advice and assistance tailored to individual estates. A further 19 visits are planned over the next three months.

Mr. Galley

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that helpful reply. The principles underlying the urban housing renewal unit are excellent. He will be aware, no doubt, of the delicate negotiations that are often necessary to establish a partnership between the public and private sectors to assist priority estates, such as the Abbey park estate in my constituency. Can he assure the House that early decisions will be taken, so that private developers will not be discouraged by bureaucratic delay or inadequate public sector contributions to the overall scheme, and so that the tenants at Abbey park and elsewhere can benefit sooner rather than later?

Sir George Young

As my hon. Friend knows, I have written to him in response to his recent letter. I am very keen for the sort of initiative that has been described to go ahead. I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly about the council's application for a community refurbishment scheme on the Abbey park estate.

Mr. Rooker

Can the Minister tell us whether the renewal unit will be giving help and advice to the landlords who have the biggest percentage of their housing stock empty, central Government, at 6..8 per cent?

Sir George Young

As the hon. Member knows perfectly well, the urban housing renewal unit is aimed at helping local authorities. There is a separate range of intitiatives taking place in central Government to reduce the number of vacancies in central Government stocks.