§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is aware of an increase of squatting during the past year in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has for dealing with this problem.
§ Mr. ConcannonI understand from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that at 1st May 1976 there were known to be 5,643 squatters in property owned by the Executive, which represents an overall increase of 258 over the figure at 1st May 1975. During that year, the Executive legalised the tenancies of 686 squatters and 471 squatters vacated Executive property.
There has been some evidence of squatting being organised by para-military organisations in estates which are under construction. In consultation with the security forces and with the co-operation of contractors, elected representatives and responsible community organisations, the Executive has taken a numbers of steps to minimise squatting. These measures include additional security precautions at houses under construction and the allocation of houses in advance of their being completed.
291WI have, however, given a warning that, if organised squatting in new houses persists, I will have to reconsider the future of the house building programme in the areas concerned. In appropriate cases legal action is being taken against squatters and I am at present considering whether the law in relation to squatting needs to be strengthened.