HC Deb 19 July 1978 vol 954 cc230-1W
Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of applicants for rented housing accommodation in each new town; and if he will indicate in each case the average length of time which applicants are required to wait before being offered a tenancy.

Mr. Guy Barnett

Registration practices vary widely but, for the English new towns, the current number of applicants in all listed categories is as follows:

  • Basildon, 995
  • Central Lancashire, 1,747
  • Milton Keynes, 1,570
  • Northampton, 559
  • Peterborough, 2,139
  • Redditch, 200
  • Runcorn, 1,800
  • Skelmersdale, 620
  • Telford, 800
  • Warrington, 1,172
  • Washington, 4,906
Waiting periods for different categories also vary according to priority needs, and the type of accommodation required. Tenancy allocation in the first generation new towns, with the exception of Basildon, was transferred to the local authorities on 1st April 1978.