§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secetary of State for the Environment how many empty houses and flats were acquired by local authorities by means of compulsory purchase orders in 1974, 1975 and to date in 1976, and in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe records maintained by the Department do not identify separately the figures sought by my hon. Friend. The total number of compulsory purchase orders, however, submitted for all purposes under Part V of the Housing Act 1957 was 308 in 1974 and 243 in 1975, and is 117, to date, in 1976. In the period 1st April 1975—31st March 1976 the equivalent figure was 261.