§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress made 205W by his Department on declaring housing action areas in Handsworth, Birmingham, since the Parliamentary Under-Secretary replied to the Adjournment on 14 July, Official Report, columns 1105–8.
§ Mr. WaldegraveFurther discussions took place between officials of the Department and Birmingham city council on 11 September. A formal submission for the declaration of Charles as a housing action area is now awaited from the city council. A decision on whether or not the declaration is allowed to stand will be made as quickly as possible after the submission is received.
The other area referred to in the Adjournment debate was Turville. I understand that the city council will need to carry out further survey work before it will be ready to make a submission in this case.