§ 62. Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reasons have been given to his Department by the Oldham local authority for reducing its plans for clearance of unfit dwellings and rehousing by over 50 per cent.; and what steps he proposes to take 59W to assist in the restoration of the demolition and rebuilding.
§ Mr. FreesonFollowing my right hon. Friend's letter of 23rd October I shall be discussing with representatives of the council the reasons for its decision to reduce the programme of new house-building, and the effect which this could have on the rate of slum clearance. It would be a particularly serious matter if the present high rate of clearance could not be sustained.
§ Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many unfit dwellings in Oldham were demolished during the municipal years 1966–1967, 1967–68, and 1968–69, respectively; and how many new dwellings were completed for the same periods by private enterprise and public enterprise, respectively.
§ Mr. FreesonThe information asked for is as follows by calendar years:
Number of unfit houses demolished or closed New houses Public enterprise Completed Private enterprise 1966 817 768 103 1967 709 866 53 1968 1,006 679 68 The information is not readily available by reference to municipal years.
§ Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state for the County Borough of Oldham the number of unfit houses and substandard houses, respectively, at the end of the municipal year 1968–69.
§ Mr. FreesonIt was estimated by the council earlier this year that there were 11,000 unfit houses remaining in the borough, of which 1,900 were in confirmed orders. They also estimate that there are another 5,000 houses in need of improvement to prevent them from becoming scheduled slums.