§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many sub-standard houses are in occupation in the Borough of Gateshead; what would be the total cost of replacing these houses at £1,500 per house after interest has been paid for 60 years at the current rate of 5¾ per cent.; and what would be the reduction in total cost if interest rates were restored to 3¼ per cent.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe information available does not distinguish between unoccupied and occupied unfit dwellings. At 30th June, 1959, 1,016 unfit houses had been demolished since the Council submitted their proposals under Section 1 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954 for dealing with an estimated total of 4,023 unfit dwellings.
On the assumption that a further 3,000 replacement dwellings are to be provided to deal with the remainder, the Answers to the second and third parts of the Question are £16,059,000 and £5,802,000, both figures assuming that repayment would be by way of half-yearly annuities.