§ Mr. Graham Pageasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many housing starts have been registered in the public and private sectors during the first nine months of each of the past five years.
§ Mr. FreesonThese details are given in the publication "Housing Statistics, Great Britain" issues No. 4 (January, 1967) No. 8 (January, 1968) and No. 15 (November, 1969), copies of which are in the Library.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give the reasons for the shortfall in the housing programme; what will be the expected completions in 1970; and how this figure compares with the years 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, and 1968–69.
§ Mr. FreesonMainly high interest rates and restrictions on credit, and policy decisions in some areas by local authorities. It is too early to give a firm forecast of completions in 1970.
and Humberside Region approved by the Minister in these years were in the West Riding. The figures are as follows:
Number of Schemes Acreage of Derelict land Gross Eligible Cost £ 1967 … — — — 1968 … 10 105 132,572 1969 … 40 504 635,969 Most of these schemes will probably qualify retrospectively for 75 per cent. capital grant under the provisions of the Local Employment Bill which is at present before Parliament.