§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what research his Department is currently undertaking to eliminate dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock in(a) London and (b) England;
(2) what extra resources he proposes to allow local authority departments to spend in order to eradicate dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock in (a) England and Wales and (b) London;
(3) if he will consult statutory housing authorities in England and Wales in order to agree an action plan to eliminate dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock.
§ Sir George YoungAs part of the annual housing investment programme round, local authorities are required to produce housing strategies setting out their proposed programmes over a three-year period. In support of this process, authorities may carry out surveys of their stock, which may include establishing the prevalence of dampness and condensation. My Department takes these strategies into account when allocating HIP resources each year. £1.5 billion was allocated to local authorities under the programme for 1994–95. It is for individual authorities to decide how to use these and other resources to which they have access, including how much to dedicate to dealing with the problems of dampness and condensation. Matters affecting the public sector housing stock in Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales.
§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake a survey of statutory housing authority areas to determine the prevalence of dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock in(a) London and (b) England.
§ Sir George YoungThe 1991 English House Condition Survey—EHCS—included an assessment of dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock. The findings will be reported in the EHCS energy report due to be published later this year.