§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) why the Housing Executive has cut planned housing starts for 1986–87 from 1,000 to 850;
(2) why the Housing Executive has cut planned improvement schemes for 1,200 to 400.
§ Mr. BoysonThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I understand from the chairman that the figures quoted refer to the executive's programme proposals for the Belfast city council area published in draft during February. The Housing Executive is planning its activities in 1986–87 within the total resources available to it. Public expenditure on housing in Northern Ireland in 1986–87 will continue to be at a proportionally higher level than elsewhere in the United Kingdom.