HC Deb 26 November 1980 vol 994 cc107-9W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will estimate the total capital employed by housing associations (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the London borough of Newham in

on which these plans were deposited with him, (c) the dates on which he decided to hold local inquiries and (d) the dates when these local inquiries are to be held.

Mr. King

The local planning authorities in Greater London which have prepared local plans are listed below, together with the dates on which those authorities (a) deposited the plan for public inspection, (b) opened a public inquiry into objections made to the plan and (c) adopted the plan.

No public local inquiries have been or are arranged to be held by the Secretary of State into local plans in Greater London.

dwellings which, as a result of his current policy are awaiting rehabilitation and the weekly interest charges in each case;

(2) what is his estimate of the number of dwellings purchased by housing associations but for which, as a result of his policies, rehabilitation contracts cannot be made: (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the London borough of Newham, together with the number of dwelling units they would provide in each case.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The number of dwellings awaiting rehabilitation at the present time is determined by a number of factors. It is not practicable to attempt to isolate the effects of my right hon. Friend's policy of providing a cash allocation for housing association projects funded by the Housing Corporation.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures Her Majesty's Government have taken to ensure that those entitled to housing benefits actually claim them; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

A national campaign, on television and in the press, to promote take-up of housing benefits was conducted by the Government earlier in the year and this week 21 million copies of revised versions of the leaflets "There's Money off Rent" and "How to Pay Less Rates" have been made available to local authorities and other bodies.