asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the extra cash allocated to housing in 1986–87 following the autumn statement will be available, taking inflation into account, to increase the actual numbers of dwellings in serious disrepair which can be worked upon, compared with 1985–86.

I shall be announcing very shortly the apportionment of the total public expenditure provision for housing in 1986–87 between local authorities, new towns and the Housing Corporation. It is for local authorities to determine how best to spend the resources available to them, but I expect greater priority to be given to renovation of local authority dwellings next year, in the light of the report of the Department's inquiry into the condition of local authority housing stock.