§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of families in the professions suffer from overcrowding; how this compares with families in the lower socioeconomic group; what action he is taking to reduce overcrowding among unskilled workers and among semi-skilled; and where this overcrowding is chiefly to be found.
§ Mr. FreesonInformation is not available about statutory overcrowding, as defined in Part IV of the Housing Act 1957, in relation to particular socioeconomic groups.
The 1971 Census volume "Housing, Part IV, Density of Occupation" indicates that 1.4 per cent. of all households in England and Wales were then living at a density of over 1.5 persons per room and their geographical distribution. In the London borough of Wandsworth within which my hon. Friend's constituency lies the census figure was 3.2 per cent. of all households.
Local authorities have adequate powers under the Housing Acts 1957 to 1969 to deal with overcrowding and the priority which the Government have given to housing action by local authorities and housing associations has provided for a big increase in new houses during the past two years.