§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many properties have been acquired (a) by local authorities, and (b) by housing associations since the issue of Circular 70/74, nationally, in Greater London, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, respectively.
§ Mr. Kaufman:Allowing for returns not yet submitted, it is estimated that local authorities in England and Wales acquired some 8,700 dwellings under the general consent in paragraph 30 of the circular in the half year ended 30th September 1974.
With regard to the second part of the Question, acquisition reported in the same period by local authorities are:
Greater London 5,420 dwellings Greater Manchester 19 dwellings Merseyside 3 dwellings Returns for this period are awaited from the Manchester Metropolitan District Council; and from the Liverpool Metropolitan District Council for the quarter beginning 1st July 1974.
Acquisitions in the same half year period by housing associations are estimated as follows:
England and Wales 3,501 dwellings Greater London 2,357 dwellings Greater Manchester 286 dwellings Merseyside 265 dwellings