HC Deb 25 January 1973 vol 849 cc221-3W
Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of houses purchased by the housing executive and the amount of money spent on this in each month since its creation; how many of these purchases were for persons on the emergency housing list and how many for persons who had previously occupied the premises; and whether there has been any substantial default in payment of rent to the housing executive by such persons.

Mr. Peter Mills

The number of houses purchased by the housing executive is as follows:

Houses purchased under Emergency Arrangements Amount Paid £
1971
October 5 6,325
November 2 3,375
December 3 4,625
1972
January 8 15,250
February 8 18,800
March 18 35,750
April 12 19,850
May 4 9,700
June 9 21,900
July 14 28,025
August 11 22,950
September 27 61,425
October 41 114,800
November 51 130,150
December 34 79,175
Totals 247 572,100

TABLE 2
Houses purchased in Redevelopment Areas in Advance of Vesting Amount paid £
1971
October
November
December
1972
January 2 975
February 3 1,750
March 5 3,075
April 4 4,375
May 5 2,275
June 4 2,100
July
August 6 13,400
September 21 17,375
October 25 19,075
November 15 10,975
December 32 31,510
Totals 122 106,885

The other information sought by my hon. Friend is not readily available in the form requested; but the great majority of the houses in the first category were bought for people on the Housing Executive's emergency housing list. Other houses in this category were bought for the rehousing of people displaced by the Belfast urban motorway and other public works. Houses in the second category are mostly closed soon after purchase. There has been no substantial default in payment of rent to the Housing Executive by people occupying houses bought by the executive.