HC Deb 25 March 1977 vol 928 cc706-7W
Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of properties which can be acquired from the private rented sector with the municipalisation funds allocated for 1976–77, 1977–78 and 1978–79; and how many properties he estimates can be improved under the Section 105 allocations for the same years.

Mr. Freeson

It is estimated that the present public expenditure provision for municipalisation will enable local authorities to acquire about 16,000 dwellings in 1976–77, 10,500 in 1977–78 and 15,000 in 1978–79. It is not possible to estimate separately the number of private rented dwellings which will be bought, but the bulk of the acquisitions are likely to be from this sector. Provision for expenditure under Section 105 of the Housing Act 1974 is estimated to be sufficient to cover the improvement of 50–60,000 dwellings in each year.

In addition it is estimated that registered housing asosciations will be able to purchase and improve about 5,500 properties in 1976–77, 6,000 in 1977–78 and 6,000 in 1978–79.