§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that 50 per cent. of the houses in Huddersfield are over 50 years old, that only 23 per cent. of the housing stock has been built since 1945, and that 23.6 per cent. of all households have no fixed bath; and if he will indicate the extent of the help his Department is prepared to give to alleviate the position.
§ Mr. MacCollI have read with interest the recent report of the study of the Huddersfield and Colne Valley area undertaken by the Yorkshire and Humberside Economic Planning Council and Board, in which this information appears. The report acknowledges that the proposals in the Government's White Paper "Old Houses into New Homes" (Cmnd. 3602) will be of great assistance to places like the study area with a high proportion of sub-standard housing. These proposals are included in the current Housing Bill. The Ministry's Yorkshire and Humberside regional office is available to discuss with the local authorities concerned any proposals for the improvement of either individual houses or areas along the lines foreshadowed in the Housing Bill.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will show the number of houses built by the local authority and by private builders, respectively, in the county 71W borough of Huddersfield in each year since 1961 to 1968.
§ Mr. MacCollThe numbers of dwellings completed in the county borough of Huddersfield by the local authority and by private builders in each year since 1961 were:
Year Local Authority Private Builders 1961 320 378 1962 158 353 1963 24 325 1964 151 395 1965 147 392 1966 285 362 1967 213 300 1968 255 301
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what requests have been made to him by the Huddersfield local authority for assistance with its house building programme.
§ Mr. MacCollMy right hon. Friend has received no special requests for assistance from Huddersfield. He would be very happy to consider a larger house building programme or to give any other assistance in his power should the council desire it.