§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has to modernise the 16,000 dwellings which it owns and which do not have a flush water closet or bathroom; and how long such a programme is likely to take.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Housing Executive owns approximately 11,500 dwellings which lack both flush toilet and bathroom. So far as possible the executive is implementing rehabilitation schemes prepared by the former housing authorities and will be drawing up a longer-term programme for the rehabilitation of its dwelling stock. However, the provision of basic amenities in many cases may not be feasible, especially in the isolated rural areas where no mains services are available. The timetable for implementing the longer-term programme will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of labour in the Northern Ireland building industry.