§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he collects for the purpose of planning in his Department of the likely number of new houses (a) in the public sector and (b) in the private sector, to be completed in future years; from what sources he gathers it; and what particular information he has available in each category for starts and completions in 1984 and 1985, respectively.
§ Sir George YoungIt is for local housing authorities to determine their own priorities for investment, including on new build, from within the total resources available to them.
The Department makes no estimates of private sector completions in future years.
The planning system together with the joint housing land availability studies prepared by local authorities and builders are the main vehicle for ensuring an adequate supply of suitable land for housing.