HL Deb 18 February 1975 vol 357 cc272-4WA
Lord HYLTON

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. i. how many houses have been bought by local authorities from builders since the publication of DOE Circular 70/74; and
  2. ii. how much remains unused of the sum allotted for the purchase of new and unsold houses.

Baroness BIRK

Up to 31st January, approval had been given for the acquisition of 10,755 houses by 185 local authorities in England and Wales in the present financial year. The Government's encouragement of these acquisitions was an emergency measure taken to increase local authority housing provision and to help builders finding difficulty in selling completed houses. No specific limit on such acquisitions was set.

House adjourned at twenty-four minutes past eight o'clock.