HC Deb 01 July 1980 vol 987 cc501-2W
Mr. Jim Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the numbers of housing starts in the years 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80; and what is his latest estimate of the number for 1980–81.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Housing starts in England in the years 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80 were as follows:

1977–78 1978–79 1979–80
Public sector 113,214 86,191 66,702
Private sector 119,116 126,757 117,468
Total 232,330 212,948 184,170

On the second part of the question I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on 4 June 1980— [Vol. 985, c. 748]. Normally about 85 per cent. of all private sector starts in Great Britain are in England.