§ Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will indicate, as at the latest convenient date, the estimated number of habitable houses and unfit houses separately in the areas of each of the local authorities having a long-term slum clearance problem; and if he will indicate for each area the estimated number of houses that will be cleared by October, 1964, at the present rate of progress.
§ Mr. BrookeI do not possess all the data necessary to provide the estimate asked for in the first part of the Question. But most of the information can be derived from Cmd. 9593 of 1955, entitled "Slum Clearance (England and Wales)", from the Housing Returns published quarterly since the beginning of that year, and from the Answer I gave to the hon. Member on 22nd November. As to the second part of the Question, I do not think that an estimate such as is asked for would be of practical use, as the future rate of progress in slum clearance between now and October 1964 will bear no necessary relation to the present rate; it will depend upon future action.