§ 6. Mr. MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the Welsh local authority associations; and what matters were discussed.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Ian Grist)My right hon. Friend met representatives of the Welsh counties committee and the committee of Welsh district councils at a meeting of the Welsh consultative council on local government finance on 8 December to discuss the Welsh rate support grant settlement for 1989–90.
§ Mr. MurphyDoes the Minister agree that in these discussions the district councils in Wales have been pressing for more cash in order to reduce the appallingly high number of people on housing waiting lists in Wales, now at a record 70,000? Does he also agree that house prices in Wales have risen faster than in any other part of the United Kingdom? Does he not accept that housing prospects for young people in the Principality have now reached crisis point?
§ Mr. GristThe hon. Gentleman knows full well that housebuilding in Wales is reaching a new peak and that over £70 million was voted for new housebuilding in Wales this year. It will have a major impact on housing conditions. I am afraid that waiting lists are a reflection, as much as anything, of social change and breakdown. That is something that does not lie within the Government's remit to alter. Prices are a reflection of demand. Demand in Wales is rising because we have a successful economy. Rising prices are also a reflection of rising earnings, which regrettably are part of the inflationary spiral that we wish to bring down.
§ Dr. MarekWill the Minister confirm that housing benefit will continue to be paid to local councils in Wales according to how much, in each year, they pay out?
§ Mr. GristHousing benefit will be made available to councils to meet the cost of economic rents for those in receipt of benefit. We have made that plain from the start.