§ Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the number of privately-owned rented homes, and of owner-occupied houses, respectively, at the latest convenient date and 10 years and 20 years previously.
§ Mr. EyreThe estimated numbers are as follows:
STOCK OF DWELLINGS—GREAT BRITAIN Millions Privately rented Owner-occupied April 1951 6.2 4.1 December 1962 3.9 7.3 December 1972 2.6 9.8
§ Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the principal reasons for the decline in the total of privately-owned rented accommodation since 1945 ; and if he will take steps to reverse this trend.
§ Mr. EyreWhilst it is impossible to quantify the various reasons for this decline, there seems little doubt that the various restrictions imposed on landlords for the protection of tenants have made a substantial contribution. The Government's proposals for tackling the resulting shortage of dwellings to let were set out in paragraphs 37–42 of the White Paper "Widening The Choice: The Next Steps in Housing" (Cmnd. 5280, 1973) and will be implemented in the Housing and Planning Bill to be introduced within the next few weeks.