§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Environment (1) how many dwellings currently lack one or more of the basic amenities;
(2) how many dwellings were considered unfit for human habitation at the nearest available date;
(3) what is the estimated number of dwellings which deteriorate every year into (a) serious disrepair and (b) being unfit for human habitation;
(4) how many dwellings need repairs costing (a) over £7,000, (b) at least £2,500 and (c) between £1,000 and £2,500; and what were the figures for 1978 and 1981.
§ Sir George YoungThe available information is from the English house condition surveys and is as follows. My Department does not make estimates for intermediate years. The results showed little change between 1976 and 1981 in the number of unfit dwellings, but an increase of about 200,000 in the number of dwellings in serious disrepair. Estimates of annual rates of deterioration would depend on assumptions about the effects of remedial work and demolition.
Dwellings in unsatisfactory condition, England Millions 1981 1976 Unfit 1.12 1.16 Lacking amentities* 0.91 1.53 Needing repairs of £7,000 or more† 1.05 0.86 Total (excluding double counting) 2.01 2.22 Needing repairs of £2,500–£6,999† 2.87 n/a Total (excluding double counting) 4.34 n/a n/a Not available. * Inside WC, fixed bath in bathroom, washbasin, sink, hot and cold water at 3 points. † At 1981 prices. In 1981, 3.13 million dwellings needed repairs of £1,000 to £2,499, including 230,000 counted as unsatisfactory on grounds of unfitness or lack of amenity. The method of recording repair costs in the 1976 survey does not enable estimates at 1981 prices to be made for levels below £7,000.