§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to stop local authorities building over-large council house estates and use the money saved to increase improvement grants for rundown older houses in urban and city areas.
§ Mr. FreesonThe size of housing schemes is primarily a matter for local authority decision, but in recent years there has been a tendency towards smaller scale developments.
Both local authority house building and improvement grants, as well as purchase and renovation of old properties, can contribute towards improving housing conditions. The introduction this year of housing strategies and investment programmes will help local authorities to work out, within national policies, the approach best suited to their local needs and circumstances.