§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what guidance he is issuing to local authorities seeking to use funds allocated in the Budget Statement for the purchase of empty private houses;
(2) how many empty private houses suitable for purchase by local authorities exist in the Yorkshire and Humberside Regions, and in which districts.
§ Mr. FreesonIt is for the local housing authorities in the first instance to consider whether such houses as are available are suitable to meet urgent local housing needs, but I appreciate the need for guid122W local government in broad groups of services at mid-June each year. The figures for June 1973 were published in the Department of Employment Gazette for November 1973 and these are as follows:
ance on this and other matters connected with the initiatives I am taking to get an increase in local authority housing provision. I shall shortly be issuing a circular to local authorities.