§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many 26W housing action areas and general improvement areas have been established; what are the districts in which they are situated; in how many of these schemes activity has started; how many dwellings are being built or improved in each scheme; and whether any steps are intended to achieve greater results.
§ Mr. ArmstrongAt the end of September 1975 there were 61 housing action areas and 967 general improvement areas in England and Wales. The rate at which housing action areas are being declared has exceeded the Government's expectations while general improvement areas are being declared in 1975 in greater numbers than last year. Details of the districts in which these areas are situated will be published later in theOfficial Report. Information about the number of houses built or improved in individual housing action areas or general improvement areas is available only from the local authorities concerned. Consideration is being given to the possibility of stimulating further progress by directing an increased share of available resources for house renovation to such special housing areas within which local authorities are encouraged, under DOE Circular 64/75, to acquire tenanted properties in order to deal with housing stress.