§ Mr. Arthur Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish figures for each of the years since 1950 showing the reduction in the number of residential properties available for renting in the private sector; and whether there has been any change in the historic trend of the last several decades.
§ Mr. ArmstrongIt is estimated from survey evidence that in April 1951 there were 7.3 million privately rented dwellings in Great Britain and 6.4 million in June 1956. It is estimated from census evidence that at the end of the years 1960, 1966, and 1971 there were respectively 5.1 million, 4.3 million and 3.6 million privately rented dwellings in Great Britain. Estimates based on census evidence for each year since 1966 are published in Table X of the Housing and Construction Statistics. In this context, all dwellings, regardless of ownership, which are rented with farms or business premises or are occupied by virtue of employment are counted as privately rented.
I will write to my hon. Friend giving further details.