§ 13. Mr. Corfieldasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, if, in reviewing local authority housing proposals, he will seek to ensure that cuts are fairly distributed as between rural and urban areas and, in particular, that full account will be taken of the need for small dwellings for elderly people in country areas.
§ Mr. GreenwoodYes. In all the discussions with authorities regard will be had to relative housing need.
§ 60. Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to ensure that those local authorities with the most serious housing problems are not unduly affected by the recently announced cuts in the number of housing approvals.
§ Mr. GreenwoodPriority will continue to be given to slum clearance, to meet-60W ing shortages of rented accommodation and especially to areas with the biggest concentrations of these problems. We shall be discussing with the main house-building authorities what it is practicable for them to build over the next year or two. In these discussions we shall stress that we want to see the existing programmes for 1968 for Greater London and for the other priority areas fulfilled.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take action to ensure that cuts in housing starts do not adversely affect slum clearance programmes; and whether he will consult with those authorities currently reducing their programmes with a view to restoring previous housing targets.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green (Mr. Hilton).