§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the recent estimate that it will cost £30 million to strengthen tower blocks to the standards he specified as a result of the Ronan Point disaster; what action he now intends to take to assist the councils concerned in this financial problem; and whether he will now give some immediate assistance to Newham, where the disaster occurred, towards overcoming their building and housing problems.
§ Mr. MacCollI have seen the estimate of £30 million but cannot confirm its accuracy. My right hon. Friend has already said that the Government will help financially and he is meeting the local authority associations on 2nd June to discuss arrangements for so doing and to go into the question of cost. My right hon. Friend has very much in mind the needs of Newham.