HC Deb 23 July 1963 vol 681 cc154-5W
Mr. Owen

asked the Minister of of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how much in housing loans has been secured by the borough of Morpeth, by the Morpeth Rural Council, by the Ashington Urban District Council and by the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Urban District Council during 1953 to 1963; what were the rates of interest in 1953 and 1963; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Corfield

Total loans raised for housing purposes for the authorities concerned during the financial years 1953–54 to 1961–62 were as follows:

£
Morpeth Borough Council 645,734
Morpeth Rural District Council 538,759
Ashington Urban District Council 1,073,462
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Urban District Council 363,650

No details are yet available for the year 1962–63.

At the beginning of the period the rate of interest on money borrowed by the authorities from the Public Works Loans Board for a 60-year period was 4¼ per cent. The rate now is 5¾ per cent.

Mr. Owen

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) how many houses have been built by the council, and by private builders, respectively, during 1953–63 in the Morpeth rural district;

(2) how many houses have been built by the council and by private builders, respectively, during 1953–63 in the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea urban district;

(3) how many units of accommodation have been provided by slum clearance, by local council house building, and by private builders, respectively, during the period 1953–63 in the borough of Morpeth; and whether he will make a statement;

(4) how many units of accommodation have been provided by council house building, by slum clearance and by private builders, respectively, during 1953–63 in the Ashington urban district.

Mr. Corfield

Between 1st April, 1953, and 31st March, 1963, the number of dwellings completed by the local authorities and private builders, respectively, in each of these areas was as follows: —

Local authority Private builders
Morpeth Borough 372 869
Ashington Urban District 725 76
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Urban District 256 25
Morpeth Rural District 426 205

Since the post-war slum clearance drive began in 1956 165 and 26 unfit houses have been demolished or closed by the Morpeth Borough and Ashington Urban District Council, respectively. I do not know how many of the families were actually rehoused by the Councils.