§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many dwellings owned by local authorities have been allowed to remain vacant for a period in excess of three months in 1970 in each of the outer London boroughs;
(2) how many dwellings owned by local authorities have been allowed to remain vacant for a period in excess of three months in 1970 in each of the inner London boroughs.
§ Mr. AmeryThis information is not available in the Department and the hon. Member may wish to approach the London boroughs direct. No doubt he will bear in mind that statistics of the number of vacant dwellings mean very little without knowing the reasons why they are vacant.
The hon. Member may be interested in a circular letter dated 4th July, 1969, which was sent to all London authorities urging them to make more interim use of their empty housing awaiting demolition, and I am sending him a copy of that circular letter.