§ 3. Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the recent visit to Basildon by the Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Construction the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Mr. Patten).
§ Mr. John PattenI was glad to be able to see housing conditions at first hand with my hon. Friend, who has been briefing me over housing problems in Basildon. The council is doing some positive things and the standard of housing generally is higher than in many other places. I accept that there are problems and I hope that the council will co-operate with the private sector to the maximum possible extent in resolving them. I am considering the council's proposals to purchase land for more housing and will issue a decision as soon as possible.