HC Deb 06 December 1972 vol 847 cc434-5W
Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the reasons why the number of local authority houses started in England fell from over 31,000 in the second quarter of 1970 to just over 22,000 in the second quarter of 1972.

Mr. Channon

Local authorities are not restricted by the Government as to the number of houses they may build to meet local housing needs. The figures referred to therefore reflect the aggregated decisions taken by local authorities in pursuance of their housing responsibilities.