§ Mr. Litherlandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has regarding the marketing exercise and the private developers' findings relating to the Wellington street (Bison) and the Turkey lane (Unit Camus) housing estates in Manchester; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GowThe city council has sought a special determination for housing subsidy to continue to be payable after demolition of the dwellings at Wellington street. In considering whether to make a determination, I expect to take account of any alternatives to demolition,340W including disposal to the private sector. The city council has been asked to provide further information in support of its application. I would expect to receive similar information should the council seek a special determination in respect of the Turkey lane estate.
§ Mr. Litherlandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his assessment of the structural state of Wellington street housing estate, built by Bison (Northern) Concrete Ltd., was such that effective improvements to the estate were impossible.
§ Mr. GowIt is for a local authority to make a structural survey of dwellings which it proposes to demolish and to offer it in support of any application for continued subsidy following demolition.
§ Mr. Litherlandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what account he took, when consenting to Manchester city council's proposal to demolish Wellington street estate, of its expenditure of £700,000 in an attempted design improvement scheme.