§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority houses are empty due to clearance orders and redevelopment orders; and what steps he proposes to take to encourage their use for temporary housing of homeless families.
§ Mr. FreesonStatistics are not available centrally to answer the first part of the Question. Circular DOE 18/74 issued by my Department, the Department of Health and Social Security and the Welsh Office asked local authorities to make the fullest use of all existing properties including properties acquired for redevelopment. We shall be following up with authorities the progress they have made with the circular and will consider including a check on their use of short-life properties.