§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce new measures to assist local authorities to tackle the maintenance problems of the housing stock. [9476]
§ Mr. ClappisonNone. Local authorities have very substantial resources available to maintain their housing stock and they should ensure that they use this money effectively. About £2,320 million per year is being spent on the repair and maintenance of local authority housing, which in real terms is 86 per cent. more per dwelling than 16 years ago.