§ Mrs. Shirley Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconsider the 50: 50 private/public ratio for new housing development in new towns, in the light of the sale of corporation houses to their tenants.
§ Mr. ChannonThere is no rule that future housing developments in the new towns should be half public and half private. The general objective, which was set in 1967 and which has yet to be achieved, was 50 per cent. owner-occupation. Development corporations have been invited by the Government to ensure that private builders make the maximum contribution to the development of the new towns that market conditions permit; but to achieve 50 per cent. owner-occupation substantial sales of rented houses to sitting tenants are also needed, especially in the older new towns.