§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on what previously estimated figure of expenditure his proposed saving of £100–£200 million a year on housing subsidies for 332W 1974–75, given in Command Paper No. 4515, is based;
(2) on what number of municipal housing starts his proposed saving of £100–£200 million a year on housing subsidies for 1974–75, given in Command Paper No. 4515, is based;
(3) on what level of capital expenditure in 1974–75, as compared with 1970–71, his proposed saving of £100–£200 million a year on housing subsidies by 1975, given in Command Paper No. 4515, is based.
§ Mr. ChannonMy right hon. Friend's estimate did not relate to a particular year but to the middle years of the decade. The estimate of the savings for these years was a broad one as the many factors involved do not yet make it possible to assess precisely what advantage local authorities will take of the new system of housing finance under which authorities with severe housing problems will be better placed to solve them.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to introduce a regional housing subsidy scheme; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AmeryPlans for housing subsidies are outlined in the statement which my right hon. Friend made today about the reform of housing finance.