HC Deb 18 July 1980 vol 988 cc722-3W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in his request to local councils to provide information on housing, he sought to ascertain the number of empty council houses, the number of difficult-to-let dwellings and the impact of the building societies' mortgage scheme.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

A copy of the Department's request to local authorities dated 18 June 1980 is in the Library. It seeks information on empty council houses and the impact of the building society support scheme but not on difficult to let dwellings.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many authorities have provided him with an independent assessment of fitness of housing; and how many have based their assumptions on the Welsh house condition survey (1976).

Mr. Wyn Roberts

A total of 27 authorities have provided assessments of fitness in their 1979 housing strategy and investment programme submissions, but the basis of their assumptions is not known.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the present method of collecting information regarding the provision of housing in Wales.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Yes.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of States for Wales what percentage of the total housing stock in Wales is unfit.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The most recent survey, undertaken in 1976, indicated that 9.8 per cent. of the total stock was unfit.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the unfit housing stock in Wales is accounted for by four valley authorities: Rhondda, Cynon Valley, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney Valley.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Information is not available down to district level, but the county of Mid-Glamorgan accounted for 30 per cent. of the unfit housing stock in Wales in 1976.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of houses in the valleys and in the cities of Swansea, Cardiff and Newport is fit but lacking amenities.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Information is not available down to district level, but in 1976 fit dwellings lacking amenities accounted for 8.8 per cent. of total stock in Gwent, 8.4 per cent. in Mid and West Glamorgan and 3.1 per cent. in South Glamorgan.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many houses in the public sector were built between 1972 and 1979 in Wales.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

A total of 44,365.