HC Deb 19 December 1995 vol 268 c1336
8. Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to allow local authorities to build more low-cost rented housing. [4882]

Mr. Clappison

Housing associations are now the main providers of new social housing. We expect around 70,000 additional lettings to be provided in 1995-96 through a mixture of public and private funding.

Mr. Miller

How many new starts will there be in 1996 in the low-cost rented sector?

Mr. Clappison

The hon. Gentleman would do better to concentrate on the fact that housing associations provide 27,000 new starts out of a total of 70,000, which does not take account of the value of new social lettings through tenants going on to buy their own homes and the refurbishment of properties. He would do well to look at the value of the housing associations' contribution to providing high-quality property through the involvement of the private financial sector.

Dr. Spink

Does my hon. Friend agree that, where social housing is provided, it should be of the highest possible quality? Will he convey to the Government the thanks of my constituents who have just received a 47 per cent. increase in the housing investment programme, which should be spent on improving the quality of existing council houses in Castle Point, which is currently substandard?

Mr. Clappison

I am happy to convey my hon. Friend's message. He is right to say that we seek to provide high-quality accommodation to meet social need.