§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, in the light of a recent court decision to the effect that a local authority may validly refuse to make a rehabilitation order under the Housing Act 1974 on the grounds that the policy of redevelopment must be continued, he will take steps to see that his housing policies are observed;
(2) how he intends to ensure that his stated policy of giving priority to renovation schemes or to cut back on redevelopment is faithfully observed by housing authorities.
§ Mr. FreesonI have no evidence that authorities are failing to have regard to the contents of the Department's Circular 13/75. Rehabilitation is not always practicable or desirable, and a decision by an authority to proceed with redevelopment does not necessarily indicate failure to observe the Government's policy in this sphere.