§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy on the building of new council housing in England and Wales. [85519]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions is responsible for housing policy in England. His statement on "Housing and Regeneration Policy" on 22 July 1998 set out our policy. The need for new social housing in a local authority's area is a matter for that local authority to establish in its local housing strategy, as part of the Housing Investment Programme process. Most new social housing is provided by Registered Social Landlords supported by the Housing Corporation, either through its Approved Development Programme or through Local Authority Social Housing Grant, in areas where such developments are seen as a priority in local housing strategies.