§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he is aware that the Registrar of Births and Deaths in the London Borough of Newham has published his official report showing that the number of babies of immigrants is more than double that of the national average and that this is causing difficulties with regard to housing both at the present and for the future; and whether he will now have discussions with the local authority to see to what extent his Department can assist the council in overcoming these problems.
(2) in view of the Simon Community Trust Report on the homelessness problems in the Greater London area, a copy of which is in his possession, and its findings that Newham has a particular problem in this respect, whether he will consider giving some special aid and assistance to this Borough to overcome its housing problem, including special grants to deal with its immigration problems.
§ Mr. EyreThe housing problems of the borough, to which the hon. Member refers, are caused by a number of factors, only one of which relates to immigrants. The Action Group on London Housing, of which I am chairman, is considering what needs to be done to deal with these problems in individual boroughs and in London as a whole.