§ Lord MOLSONasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can give an estimate of the number of housing units and the number of families in the United Kingdom; and whether they can give an estimate of the number of additional housing units which are likely to be needed in each of the next fifteen years.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness BIRK)It is estimated that there were about 20.0 million separate dwellings, including about a million which are unfit, and about 19.25 million potential households, that is households having or wanting separate dwellings in the United Kingdom at mid-1974. Many factors which affect judgments about the numbers 1335WA of dwellings required are not reflected in these national figures. There are no official estimates of requirements over the next 15 years, but the Government consider that the present rate of housebuilding is wholly unsatisfactory. A comprehensive review of housing policy and finance is being undertaken by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.