§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what, in the light of the fall in the Greater London population by 9.6 in 12 months, is his estimate of the consequential reduction in housing demand ; what is the estimated housing shortfall in Greater London at the present date ; and if he will provide 26W incentives to reduce the population even further.
§ Mr. ChannonThe decline of 96,000 in London's population from 1971 to 1972 has not led to a decrease in the demand for housing ; this is mainly related to the number of households in London, which has not fallen significantly. The latest estimates of housing demand in London were contained in the 1970 report on "London's Housing Needs up to 1974" by the Standing Working Party on London Housing ; later statistics are now being assessed to bring the estimates further up to date. The possibility of effective action to control the size of London's population was studied in the Greater London Development Plan and reported on by the Layfield Panel ; my right hon. and learned Friend is now considering its views.