asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the forecast underspend by Welsh local authorities on housing in the current financial year; and how this compares with the actual underspend in the last two financial years.

The underspend in 1976–77 was £28·3 million. In 1977–78 allocations were underspent by £10·9 million. It is too early to predict the final outturn in 1978–79 but I expect a further significant improvement.