§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing action areas have been created in the past 668W 12 months; how many properties this affects; what are the projected figures for 1979–1980; and if he will consider allowing local authorities to create housing action areas in council estates.
§ Mr Geoffrey FinsbergIn the 12 months ending 30 September 1979 84 housing action areas have been declared affecting 31,378 dwellings, hostels and houses in multiple occupation. Future declarations are a matter for the local authorities. I do not consider formal HAA declaration to be an appropriate way of dealing with local authority estates, but it is, of course, open to local authorities to treat particular estates as priority cases and to make use of resources accordingly.