§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are on waiting lists for council houses in(a) Wales and (b) Alyn and Deeside; and what steps he is taking to provide housing for them.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe information requested is not available for Wales on a consistent basis. Authorities compile their waiting lists in different ways and some are534W moving towards common waiting lists with housing associations. In its housing strategy and operational plan, Alyn and Deeside district council recorded 2,140 applicants on its general waiting list and 739 tenants on its transfer waiting list as at 1 April 1994. These figures represent a reduction of 24 per cent. on the previous year's. Authorities are encouraged to use their enabling role to secure housing to meet local needs and to make best use of their stock by for example reducing voids and under-occupation.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many empty council houses there are in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesInformation on the number of empty council houses in Wales is published in table 6.9 of Welsh Housing Statistics No. 14, 1994, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Empty council houses represent 1.1 per cent. of total council housing stock. I look for further improvement.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in(a) Wales and (b) Alyn and Deeside were provided with council house tenancies in 1994.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesInformation on the number of local authority dwellings let to new tenants is published annually in table 6.8 of "Welsh Housing Statistics", No. 14, 1994. A copy of the publication is in the Library of the House.