24. To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment she has made of the contribution of the social rented sector in providing affordable homes; and if she will make a statement. (141611)

We are on course to deliver 30,000 social rented homes by the end of 2007-08, and we expect 160,000 households to enter into home ownership through public and private shared equity schemes in the five years to 2010.

We are also supporting local authorities to take a lead role in developing more social housing, using surplus land.

Future delivery will be subject to the outcome of Comprehensive Spending Review 2007. The delivery of affordable housing will be a key priority for CSR07.

28. To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on increasing spending on affordable housing via the next comprehensive spending review process. (141615)

I have had wide-ranging and regular discussions with ministerial colleagues in Treasury about preparations for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, as a matter of key importance to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s medium and long term planning.