§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Wales why Welsh local housing authorities are not being allowed to carry forward any underspend from 1979–80 into 1980–81, when their counterparts in England are being allowed to do so.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsWe have allocated the full housing provision to Welsh authorities in 1980–81. There is a risk of the housing cash limit being breached if any authority exceeds its allocation whether by carry forward from 1979–80 or for any other reason unless some other authority spends less than its allocation or has its allocation reduced. We shall monitor expenditure during the financial year and shall be prepared to readjust allocations if this is desirable. We cannot however do this now. The arrangements in England are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.
§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Wales on present figures what he estimates will be the underspend by Welsh local housing authorities in 1979–80.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsWelsh local authorities advised us in January this year of their latest estimates of end of year expenditure. We confirmed these estimates as their final allocations for220W this year. If local authorities keep to their own forecasts there should be no underspend in 1979–180.