§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total sum of money which has so far been approved for loan sanction for the purchase of existing and new dwellings, respectively, by local authorities under Circular 70/74; and what is the total number of dwellings in each case.
§ Mr. FreesonWe estimate that English and Welsh local authorities spent some £180 million in 1974–75 on the acquisition of some 23,000 existing dwellings for continued housing use. Final details are not yet available.
As regards new dwellings, approval was given for the purchase of about 13,100 dwellings at an estimated cost of about £132 million between 1st April 1974 and 15th May 1975.