§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department will take to counteract the recent Audit Commission's optimistic forecast of a shortfall of 12,000 social lettings each year; and if he will comment on the report.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Audit Commission's report "Developing Local Authority Housing Strategies", including the discussion of supply and demand for social housing, is a useful contribution to public debate on housing policy. Besides the recommendations addressed to central Government, which we shall consider carefully, the report contains many recommendations for local authorities on how they could make more effective use of their existing stock of housing and other resources.
§ Mr. LesterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Audit Commissioner's report on the shortfall of 12,000 homes per year; and what effect this has on waiting lists.
§ Mr. BaldryI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. 261W Evans). Local authorities' practices in maintaining waiting lists for council housing vary widely, and they are therefore not an accurate indicator of unmet need for social housing.