§ 34. Mr. Sean Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority houses he expects to be started in 1985–86.
§ Mr. GowTotal housing starts for England in 1984 were 169,000, of which 23,000 were started by local authorities and new towns. The equivalent figures for the first five months of this calendar year were 69,000 and 8,000. It is not our practice to make forecasts.
§ 38. Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate how many local authority dwellings built since 1950 are in need of demolition.
§ Sir George YoungThis information is not currently available. However, we have recently asked all local 473W authorities to provide information on the condition of their housing stock, including the number of dwellings they consider need to be demolished. Local authorities' returns are now being analysed and the results will be available in due course.