§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the house building programme in the public sector on Merseyside compares with other regions.
§ Mr. KaufmanMerseyside does not in itself constitute a region and it cannot, therefore, be compared with regions. Although the information requested is not available I would, however, refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his other Question today.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the Government's measures to encourage local authorities to increase their house building programme.
§ Mr. FreesonThe estimated number of new dwellings started in the public sector in Great Britain in 1974 showed an increase of 30 per cent. over the number started in 1973. There was a 33 per cent. increase in the number of dwellings in new contracts let and completions rose by 20 per cent. I will shortly be issuing a circular to local authorities on further housing initiatives520W which can be taken to increase housing provision quickly.