§ Q16. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the number of new houses built in 1980.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have been asked to reply.
The level of new house building in 1980 should be seen against the significant expenditure by local authorities on improving their existing stock, against the extensive measures that the Government have introduced to assist private renting and low-cost home-ownership, and against the necessary steps the Government have taken to restore a sound economy which is the indispensable requirement for a sustained expansion of house building.