§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in the Northern Region have cut their house building programmes, reduced specifications and standards, or stopped building, respectively, since January 1973; and if he will make a statement on the reasons.
§ Mr. ChannonThe information is not available. It is for the local authorities themselves to assess needs and to decide what further new provision is necessary to meet those needs. The Government place no obstacle in their way, and I hope that all local authorities with a need to build will press ahead with their task.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses were built by local authorities in the Northern Region in 1970, 1971 and 1972: and what the estimate is for 1973.
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§ Mr. ChannonIn 1970, 1971 and 1972 respectively public sector completions in the region were 11,410, 11,548 and 8,147. Completions in 1973 to the end of August were 5,074.