§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How long it will be before all the present tenants in Divis Flats and Unity Flats, in West Central Belfast, have been rehoused, so that these blocks can be demolished as has recently been agreed; and whether they will ensure that the Housing Executive has the resources to speed up the current rate of rehousing, in view of the urgency on public health and other grounds.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Lyell)This is a matter for the Chairman of the Housing Executive, who has advised me that the phased demolition of Divis Flats and Unity Flats is currently planned to take place over periods of 7–10 years and 12 years respectively. In both developments the lengthy periods required for demolition and rebuilding are dictated mainly by the shortages of alternative dwellings in the limited areas of choice stated by the existing tenants.