HC Deb 08 August 1972 vol 842 cc405-8W
Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider using the money that is likely to be saved through the proposed cuts in council housing subsidies to assist those local authorities in Wales that have to undertake major house-building programmes to meet the needs of their people.

Mr. Peter Thomas

The Housing Finance Act already provides for the payment of generous Exchequer subsidies for housebuilding for all local authorities which need them.

Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the £200 million a year payable in council housing subsidies up to 1975 under the present system is estimated to be payable to local authorities in Wales.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I estimate that for Wales the proportion of the total expen- diture becoming payable in England and Wales for council housing subsidies in future years will be about 5 per cent.

ERRATUM

OFFICIAL REPORT, Tuesday, 1st August, 1972, c. 111The figure of £65,540 million in the table of figures for "GNP for International reporting:" should read £56,540 million.