HC Deb 18 June 1973 vol 858 cc22-3W
Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses have been demolished and built, respectively, in the years 1964 to 1973 in Manchester; and what proportion of the national total of completions was in Manchester during those years.

Mr. Eyre

Demolition or closure of 38,248 houses was reported from 1st January 1964 to 31st March 1973 as a result of slum clearance action in Manchester. In the same period 33,993 dwellings were reported completed, including those built for Manchester CB outside its own area, and these represented 1 per cent. of all housing completions in Great Britain.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of Manchester's slum clearance programme and the current level of rates, he will increase the housing subsidy to the city or the rate support grant.

Mr. Eyre

No. Under the Housing Finance Act 1972 Manchester is eligible for a 75 per cent. subsidy on the net loss incurred in slum clearance operations in 1971–72 and subsequent years, and for rising costs subsidy which meets the bulk of the deficit arising in the housing revenue account as a result of increased expenditure on providing housing. The level of rate support grant for 1973–74 has already been fixed in consultation with the local authority associations. There will be further discussions later this year leading to the determination of rate support grant for 1974–75.