HL Deb 06 June 1978 vol 392 cc1213-4WA
Lord HYLTON

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether following the recent adverse comments of the Local Government Ombudsman in the case of the Royal Borough of Westminster, they are satisfied that all housing authorities are expeditiously and thoroughly carrying out their statutory duties concerning "unfit" dwellings.

Baroness BIRK

Housing authorities generally have effected a welcome reduction in the number of unfit houses, which in England fell by 30 per cent. from 1,147,000 in 1971 to 794,000 in 1976. But vigorous action is still needed to deal with the remaining slums which are now less concentrated in potential clearance areas, for which the Government's declared policy is rehabilitation wherever possible rather than demolition.