asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what data are already available to his Department to assess local authorities' housing needs; and why he considers that this is now inadequate.

The latest information available, covering the whole of England, for the assessment of housing needs at the local level is the 1971 census of population. The national dwelling and housing survey which was started in 1977 and is now almost complete will provide a more up-to-date data source. This will be complemented by the data provided by local authorities in their housing investment programme submissions.