HL Deb 03 June 1981 vol 420 c1342WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of statements that there is a surplus of dwellings over households of 980,000 and that some 550,000 dwellings may be empty at any one time, whether they will state:

  1. (a) How many dwellings are "unfit for human habitation";
  2. (b) How many dwellings require repairs costing £2,000 or more [or any similar four-figure sum];
  3. (c) How many second or third homes are known to exist;
  4. (d) How many dwellings are mainly let for holiday purposes;
  5. (e) How many dwellings are caravans, mobile homes or house-boats; and
  6. (f) How many dwellings are "blighted" by proposals for demolition within 5 years.

Lord Bellwin

Following are the latest estimates for England:

Dwellings (000) Source
(a) Unfit for human habitation 794 (1)
(b) Requiring repairs costing £1,000 or more 2,236 (1)
(c) Second homes 120 (2)
(d) Mainly let for holiday purposes Not available
(e) Non-permanent dwellings occupied at the Census 71 (3)
(f) "Blighted" by proposals for demolition with 5 years Not available

Sources (1) English House Conditions Survey 1976

(2) Audits of Great Britain—Regular Survey 1978

(3) Population Census 1971