§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has had any discussions with interested parties on the provision of low-cost housing in rural areas.
§ Mr. RyderMy right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales are, of course, responsible for policy on this matter in England and Wales, respectively. However, rural housing is an issue which is often raised with me in the context of agriculture and countryside matters. I therefore welcome warmly the statement made by the Secretary of State for the Environment on 3 February 1989 at columns 433–34 about new guidance to planning authorities in England, which is intended to increase the provision of low cost housing in rural areas.
I hope that following the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement on the tax position of land sold to housing associations for this purpose, landowners will be encouraged to make suitable land available. An adequate supply of affordable housing to meet the needs of those who live and work in the countryside is an important element in the Government's policies for the diversification of the rural economy.