§ 28. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the number of council houses started in the United Kingdom in 1978 and in 1979; what number he estimates will be started in 1980; what are the obstacles holding back new building; and if he will take new steps to meet the needs of the one million families on the waiting lists.
§ Mr. StanleyMy right hon. Friend is responsible for the allocation of resources for council house building in England only. However, there were 89,070 council houses starts in the United Kingdom in 1978. The provisional figure for 1979 is 66,037. Within their single block housing investment programme allocation it will be for local authorities to decide what resources to devote to new council house building in 1980.
§ 33. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the likely effect on council housing standards of the proposed relaxation of the Parker Morris regulations.
§ Mr. StanleyI would expect local authorities to take a responsible view of the standards which will be both satisfactory for their tenants and give value for public money.
§ 53. Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many more dwellings were started in the last available 12-month period.
§ Mr. Stanley186,200 dwellings were started in England in 1979.
§ 57. Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of public and private sector dwellings under construction on 1 March 1974 and 1 June 1979.
§ Mr. StanleyThe figures are
1 March 1974—205,000 public sector and 247,000 private sector.1 June 1979—180,000 public sector and 213,000 private sector.