§ Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the existing housing stock he expects will be replaced during each of the next three years; and what would be the average period of use of the existing housing stock if this rate were to be maintained.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergIt is estimated that about ¼ per cent. of the housing stock in Great Britain was replaced in 1978, corresponding to about 50,000 295W dwellings removed mainly under slum clearance action; there is no evidence to suggest any significant change in these rates over the next year or so.
However, the rate of loss over a short period cannot be used reliably to draw inferences about the future life of the existing stock. The average period of use is extended by improvements to existing dwellings which are a continuous feature of housing programmes and can be applied as long as the structure remains sound.