§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps his Department is taking to help first-time house seekers in Gwynedd to secure a house to buy or rent at a price within their reach.
§ Mr. GristWe require the Housing Corporation to take full account of the needs of rural areas. It has invested on average 25 per cent. of its allocation in housing for rent and low-cost home ownership schemes in such areas. In Gwynedd in particular in 1987–88 the corporation approved schemes to provide some 150 units of accommodation out of 650 in rural Wales. In the current year, with additional private finance, the allocation will provide over 280 units in Gwynedd. In addition, we have encouraged local authorities to use their considerable powers to provide homes for local people. Dwyfor district council has received additional allocations totalling £0.5 million for this purpose over the last three years.