HC Deb 24 May 1988 vol 134 cc99-100W
Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many housing starts there were in 1979; and what is the most recent figure;

(2) how many housing completions there were in 1979; and what is the most recent figure.

Mr. Grist

[holding answer 16 May 1988]: A total of 11,426 dwellings were started during 1979 compared with 10,665 during 1987. A total of 11,265 dwellings were completed during 1979 compared with 9,254 during 1987.

Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many houses in Wales were built before 1919.

Mr. Grist

[holding answer 18 May 1988]: There were 440,000 dwellings in Wales at 31 December 1987 which were built before 1919.

Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh pensioners are living in houses classified as unfit to live in.

Mr. Grist

[holding answer 16 May 19881]: In 1986 there were 46,800 persons of pensionable age in Wales living in dwellings classified as unfit.

Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh pensioners are living in houses classified as unfit to live in, excluding the area covered in the valleys initiative.

Mr. Grist

[holding answer 20 May 1988]: In 1986 there were 32,800 persons of pensionable age in Wales excluding the local authorities covered by the valleys initiative, living in dwellings classified as unfit. The valleys initiative programme launched during 1986 includes the following districts: Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Cynon Valley, Rhondda, Ogwr, Lliw Valley, Torfaen, Islwyn.

Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many houses in Wales, excluding the area covered in the valleys initiative, lack(a) one or more basic amenity, (b) an inside toilet and (c) a fixed bath;

(2) how many houses in Wales are classified as unfit to live in excluding the area covered in the valleys initiative.

Mr. Grist

[holding answer 20 May 1988]: In 1986 in Wales, excluding the local authorities covered by the valleys initiative, there were 31,700 dwellings lacking one or more basic amenity, 12,500 dwellings lacking a WC inside the dwelling, 11,000 dwellings lacking a fixed bath or shower and 57,100 dwellings classified as unfit. The valleys initiative launched during 1986 includes all of the following districts: Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Cynon Valley, Rhondda, Ogwr, Lliw Valley, Torfaen and Islwyn.

Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many houses in Wales are classified as being seriously in need of repair, excluding the area covered in the valleys initiative.

Mr. Grist

[holding answer 20 May 1988]: In 1986 there were 90,300 dwellings in Wales classified as being in serious disrepair (that is, with repair costs of £3,000 or more), excluding the local authorities covered by the valleys initiative. The valleys initiative programme launched during 1986 includes the following districts: Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Cynon Valley, Rhondda, Ogwr, Lliw Valley, Torfaen and Islwyn.

Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many housing starts there were in 1979; and what is the most recent figure, excluding the area covered in the valleys initiative;

(2) how many housing completions there were in 1979; and what is the most recent figure, excluding the area covered in the valleys initiative.

Mr. Grist

[holding answer 20 May 1988]: The number of dwellings started in the districts other than those which are covered by the valleys initiative area, during 1979 and 1987 were 9,614 and 9,183 respectively. The number of dwellings completed for the same districts and years were 9,496 and 7,848. The valleys initiative launched during 1986 includes all of the following districts: Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Cynon Valley, Rhondda, Ogwr, Lliw Valley, Torfaen and Islwyn.