§ 61. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many housing associations with less and more than £100,000 worth of building, respectively, have been helped under the 1961 £25 million loan scheme; how many houses and flats were included; how many of these associations were directly or indirectly connected with building firms; what rents in addition to rates are being or will be charged; and what is the reason for the small number of schemes accepted or proposed.
§ Mr. CorfieldMy right hon. Friend has so far approved 44schemes put forward by 24 housing associations. Three of these associations have schemes which do not, as yet, involve a loan commitment as high as £100,000 per association; the rest have schemes exceeding this figure. The schemes so far approved will provide for 2,553 dwellings. Most associations have amongst their members builders, surveyors, architects and other professional men whose expert contribution I would like to acknowledge; but none may place any building contract except at a figure approved by the Department. The rents of nearly all the dwellings are, or are expected to be, within the range of £4 to £7 per week. I do not accept that the number of schemes is small; the total loan commitment so far is over £9 million and this is a very encouraging figure.