§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that one of the main reasons for the shortfall commencement of new houses in the London Borough of Newham of 496 in 1969, as compared with 1,393 in 1968, is connected with redesigning and strengthening of tower blocks, caused by the Ronan Point disaster; and what special action he proposes to take to assist this council to restore its building figure to that of 1968.
§ Mr. FreesonIt has been customary to record the housing programmes of local authorities in terms of tenders accepted. On this basis the Newham Council's figure for 1968 was 899 dwellings and that for 1969 should be 1,228. This latter figure was a fine performance in any circumstances and quite remarkable in the peculiarly difficult situation in which the council has found itself. As to the second part of the Question, the council has suggested future programmes of 1,474 and 1,498 units for the years 1970 and 1971. These figures, in fact, propose an increase on past performance, and the Ministry's officers will help in any way they can.