HC Deb 14 July 2003 vol 409 c69W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government took water requirements into account when proposing their new house-building programme. [125509]

Phil Hope

Discussions were held with water companies by the consultants who undertook the growth area studies published last year. More detailed local studies are now under way in most areas, which will help in more detailed assessment of infrastructure requirements. Further discussions with the water industry have taken place since publication of the Sustainable Communities Plan and these will continue involving the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Water UK, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the individual water companies concerned, the Environment Agency and OFWAT.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many social houses are being built this year in each local authority; and how many families are on the housing waiting list in each local authority. [124631]

Keith Hill

Estimates of the number of social dwellings (for rent by registered social landlords and local authorities) built are based on local authority P2 housing returns to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and National House Building Council (NHBC) data.

Local authorities in England report the numbers of households on their housing register (excluding tenants awaiting a transfer) as at 1 April in their Annual Housing Investment Programme returns.

The latest available annual data from these two sources are available in the Library of the House.