asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment he has made of the number of co-ownership dwellings whose construction involved the use of high alumina cement;(2) whether he is prepared to receive a deputation from the steering committee of the National Council of Co-Ownership Housing Societies to discuss the problems which many societies face arising from the use of high alumina cement.

No separate assessment of the number of co-ownership dwellings has been made. The use of high alumina cement concrete in housing has created problems for some owners in all forms of private ownership. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Department's letter of 23rd April which set out what we are doing to resolve these problems. I do not think that at this stage a meeting with the steering committee would serve any useful purpose.