HC Deb 25 May 1978 vol 950 c698W
Mr. Peter Walker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will have placed in the Library copies of each authority's housing strategy and investment programme.

Mr. Freeson

The housing strategy and investment programmes—HIPs—leading to allocations for 1978–79 were not provided to the Department on an understanding that they would be made publicly available by the Department. I therefore think it would be necessary to have the agreement of individual local authorities if the copies were to be tabled. Local authorities are, however, now preparing their HIPs for 1979–80 and in DOE circular 38/78 they are advised that public access should be permitted to the submitted HIPs. I am consulting the local authority associations about the wider availability of these documents.