asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the local authority housing allocation for 1986–87 will compare with the current year; and if he will make a statement.

The total housing investment programme allocations for English local authorities in 1986–87 will be £146 million. The corresponding figures for 1985–86 was £1,600 million. In setting this figure we have taken account of increased spending power from receipts and of the increasing use local authorities are making of other opportunities for capital expenditure.