§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of the numbers of (a) unfit dwellings, (b) dwellings lacking one or more basic amenities and (c) dwellings needing major repairs.
§ Mr. StanleyFollowing are the latest estimates, made by my Department from the 1976 English House Condition Survey:326W
Dwellings* unfit, lacking basic amenities, and needing major repair England: 1976 Thousand dwellings Unfit 794 Lacking one or more of basic amenities† 1,493 Requiring repairs costing £1000 or more (1976) prices‡ 2,240 * Estimates based on sample of dwellings, and therefore, subject to sampling errors. † Dwellings whose occupiers did not have exclusive use of (i) internal WC, (ii) fixed bath or shower, (iii) wash basin, (iv) sink and (v) hot and cold water at bath, wash basin and sink. ‡ The cost estimates related only to repairs and did not include improvement costs. At 1981 prices, the equivalent cost would be of the order of £2,000.