§ 12. Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide additional resources to local authorities and housing associations to deal with properties in their possession which contain asbestos. [33945]
§ Mr. CohenMy borough of Waltham Forest has suffered enormous housing investment cuts and borrowing restrictions. There is a severe maintenance backlog for council tenants and severe delays for those waiting for improvement grants. Now that asbestos has been found in some tower blocks, the safety of those tenants must come first, but that means that all the other tenants will have to wait that much longer. May I urge the Government to provide special extra funds to councils and to housing associations to deal with asbestos problems?
§ Mr. CurryIf the hon. Gentleman really wants improvements in the quality of housing and renovation in his borough, he should recommend to his council that it makes an application under the estates renewal programme. If Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Lambeth and Brent, among the London boroughs, can do so successfully, I am sure that the hon. Gentleman can encourage his council to do the same. It is all subject to tenants' ballots and everyone will benefit substantially.