HC Deb 24 June 1974 vol 875 cc348-9W
Mr. Tierney

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consider what help can be given to the Birmingham District Council, including the supply of capital, to realise its forecast of housing units and industrial development for the current financial year and the next two years which are likely to be affected by the non-approval of various sewerage schemes;

(2) if he will give some indication of the number of houses which will not be built in 1974 because of the restrictions on capital expenditure on sewerage and sewage disposal works;

(3) if he will give some indication of the number of houses which will not be completed by the Birmingham District Council in the next two financial years because of the restrictions on capital expenditure on sewerage and sewage disposal works;

(4) if he will give some indication of the number of houses which will not he completed by the Birmingham District Council in 1974 because of the restrictions in capital expenditure on sewerage and sewage disposal works.

Mr. Gurden

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made on the effect upon housing schemes, pollution and flooding of the Government's cutback on capital expenditure of the Severn-Trent Water Authority.

Mr. Kaufman

Water authorities have been asked to give priority to drainage and sewerage schemes serving new housing development. It is for the water authorities themselves to make their own estimates of the level of capital expenditure required to enable them to meet their statutory obligations. I understand that Birmingham District Council is in touch with the Seven-Trent Water Authority about the council's assessment of the likely effects on housing of restrictions on the authority's capital programme. Unfortunately we have not yet been able to restore the substantial cuts made in the capital programme for water services by the previous administration but my right hon. Friend is keeping the general position closely under review. We know of no houses now under construction in Birmingham that will not be completed for the reasons stated.

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