HC Deb 26 June 1967 vol 749 cc39-41W
Mrs. Lena Jeger

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the sample survey of the condition of houses.

Mr. Greenwood

This sample survey, which covered 6,000 dwellings in 262 local authorities areas in England and Wales has been completed. Full analysis will take some time, but I can now give the broad picture.

Of 15.7 million permanent dwellings 9.2 million are in satisfactory condition. About 1.8 million dwellings are unfit, as assessed by the criteria set out in the Housing Acts. Another 4.7 million

in 1962–63 were not the same as those in 1965–66. Accordingly the figures below are of limited comparability.

cation Authority. It is understood that the relevant accounting practice did not vary as between the two years, but the major differences in the functions and areas of the two authorities again limit the degree of comparability.

dwellings are unsatisfactory, but their condition varies widely between those which require little work and those which on any reckoning are not likely to be worth saving. Many of these are in the category generally known as "twilight areas".

Of the 1.8 million unfit dwellings perhaps 1.1 million are in potential clearance areas; the rest can be dealt with individually by demolition, clearance or rehabilitation. The survey suggests that unfit housing is more prevalent, and less concentrated, than previous information had suggested.

About 2.9 million dwellings have no internal W.C., 2.1 million have no fixed bath, 3.4 million have no hot and cold water system and 3.0 million have no wash basin. In all 3.9 million dwellings, many of them unfit, lack one or more of these amenities. These findings are consistent with those derived from the 1961 Census.

This survey is the first to provide reliable information about the state of repair of houses. Excluding unfit dwellings in potential clearance areas, some 2 million dwellings appear to need more than minor expenditure on repairs and basic amenities taken together, while nearly 2½ million dwellings appear to need more than minor expenditure on repairs alone.

I shall publish the full results of the Survey later in the year, and I shall take account of them in framing legislative proposals for dealing with the older residential areas.

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