§ Mr. DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to meet future housing needs in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tim SmithI commend the Housing Executive, housing associations and the private sector for the excellent contributions they have made, and continue to make, to improving housing in Northern Ireland and meeting the Government's objectives of increasing owner-occupation, improving housing conditions and meeting urgent housing need. Future housing policies and programmes must build on the progress made to date. I have, therefore, asked the Department of the Environment to initiate a housing review with the following terms of reference
to review policies and programmes aimed at meeting housing need in Northern Ireland".The Department will shortly be inviting a wide range of interests to submit comments and proposals to this review and I intend to publish a consultation paper on the outcome. I want to make it quite clear that this review is of policies and programmes and is predicated on the continued existence of the Housing Executive as the single regional housing authority, together with an expanding voluntary housing sector and a growing private sector.