§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many second homes there are estimated to be in Wales at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Michael RobertsThe Welsh housing and dwelling survey 1978–79 estimated that there were at that time some 30,000 definite or possible second and holiday homes in Wales, including holiday homes intended wholly or partly for letting purposes and holiday chalets.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had concerning increasing the powers of local authorities to control the number and location of second homes in their areas; and what consideration he has given to these.
§ Mr. Michael RobertsI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Merioneth (Mr.54W Thomas) on 4 December 1981.—[Vol. 14, c. 242.] Since then we have received further representations on second homes from seven local authorities and three members of the public.
The recent representations have clearly been prompted for the most part by the Government response, issued on 8 February, to the memorandum on second homes submitted by the Gwynedd county council. Most of the points raised were fully covered in the Government's response, but any new points will be carefully considered.