HC Deb 29 May 1970 vol 801 cc611-2W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make further proposals to ensure the building of 500,000 houses per year; and if he will take steps to ensure that the larger proportion of them will be council houses to let.

Mr. Freeson:

The Government have recently taken steps to stimulate house-building and are pressing a number of local authorities to restore cuts they have made in their building programmes recently. Some have agreed to do so and others, I hope, will follow suit. The Government are now considering further proposals to increase housing programmes.

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with 20 local authorities which have been cutting down their council house building programmes.

Mr. Greenwood:

Consultation with housing authorities, and particularly with those with which my hon. Friend or I have discussed their programmes personally, should be a continuing process. The talks have defined those problems which need further consideration, and in a number of cases councils have decided to review aspects of their housing programmes.