§ Mr. Lathamasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if, in view of the fact that certain London Boroughs are lowering their aims in council house building by means of handing over large parts of their programme to housing associations, he will consider withholding financial assistance from these housing associations until it can be shown that they are capable of augmenting the housing programme;
(2) if he will take steps to withhold financial assistance from small housing associations in London, in view of the fact that they have the effect of increasing the price of houses, until such time as he is satisfied that their operations are designed to maximise the availability of suitable houses in areas of need.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a recent statement of policy on the potentialities and limitations of housing associations in contributing to the programmes of local authorities in London.
Proposals for operations by housing associations are considered within the framework of this policy.