§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many home owners have been asked to receive officials of his Department or representatives for the purpose of discussing their opinions about their homes and neighbourhood; how many letters of introduction and identification have been provided for this purpose; if he will place in the Library a copy of one such letter; how many hours of official time and how much money has been allocated for this purpose; and why he considers this exercise necessary in view of the current reduction in housing funds.
§ Mr. Ernest Armstrong9,057 householders have been asked to receive interviewers authorised by my Department for the purpose of obtaining information about their attitudes to their homes and neighbourhood. 250 letters of introduction and identification have been provided for those undertaking this part of the English House Condition Survey and I have placed a copy of one such letter in the Library. Interviews will take place over a period of about 9–10 weeks, and within the total estimated survey cost of £250,000 this particular element of the survey will cost approximately £90,000.
This follow-up to the survey of the physical condition of dwellings in the sample will provide information on housing costs in relation to housing condition and household resources, on attitudes to and incidence of repair and improvement costs and the take up of improvement grants and on a range of other relevant issues. This information would be valuable in relation to housing rehabilitation policies at any time, but is of particular importance at a time when we must ensure that our limited resources are effectively utilised.
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