asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his proposals for the reform of Government housing subsidies to local authorities will ensure that these subsidies will not be reduced in the case of Greater London boroughs with severe housing problems.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Lewisham, North (Mr. Moyle) on 17th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 439.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in discussions with the bodies concerned regarding the proposals to reduce housing subsidies; and Whether he can now state an exact figure by which the subsidies will be cut.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question to the hon. Member for Bolsolver (Mr. Skinner) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with Islington Borough Council regarding the housing structure finance; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the Greenwich Borough Council regarding his proposed reform of Government housing subsidies; and if he will ensure that these subsidies will not be reduced in the case of Greater London boroughs with continuing housing problems.

My right hon. Friend is consulting local authorities through their associations, including the London Boroughs Association. Under the reform of housing finance subsidy help will be concentrated on those authorities who have the worst housing problems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be publishing his detailed proposals for the reform of housing subsidies; and if he has consulted financial, professional and trade interests in the building industry.

I cannot publish detailed proposals for the reform of housing finance until I have completed my discussions with the local authority associations. I have explained the objectives of the reform to the organisations concerned with house-building. If I receive any representations from the building industry, I will gladly consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to make extra housing grants available to cover the costs of installation of lifts for flats of more than one storey, purpose-built for old people.

The current standard for subsidised provision of purpose-built old people's dwellings was laid down in October, 1969. It provides for lifts in blocks of more than two storeys. I will certainly bear my hon. Friend's views in mind but it is too soon to consider amendments at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in his discussions with building societies, he will examine the possibility of home loans being made more readily available for householders to cover the non-grant element of house improvement costs.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what amount it is estimated that the number of council houses in the London Borough of Hammersmith will increase in the year 1971.

The hon. Member should apply to the Council for this information. Only they can say with any certainty when the dwellings now under construction will be completed. The Council will also be able to say whether they propose to buy any existing properties for occupation as they stand or by conversion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what application for loan sanction for the construction of local authority housing has been made by the London Borough of Wandsworth during each of the last three years; and what is the amount of money granted and the number of houses to be built.

Loan sanctions totalling over £14 million for the construction of more than 2,500 dwellings were made in this period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, as the housing situation in London is deteriorating, he will further discuss with the London boroughs means of stepping up local authority housebuilding in the capital.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his hon. Friend the Member for Feltham (Mr. Russell Kerr) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of public-sector housing starts for which he gave loan sanction in the London Borough of Havering in the years 1968, 1969 and 1970; and what is his estimate of the number for 1971, 1972 and 1973 for which he is prepared to give loan sanction.

For details of public sector housing starts to date the hon. Member should contact the London Borough of Havering and the Greater London Council direct. The future level of building in the Borough, and elsewhere in London, is under discussion with the local authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of loan sanction for housing purposes which has been granted to the Lon- don Borough of Ealing over the past three years; and how many houses have been built in the public sector during that period.

Loan sanction has been given for almost £9 million, and 2,311 dwellings have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a further statement about the number of council houses to be put out to tender in the London Borough of Brent in 1971.

According to our latest information the London Borough of Brent propose to put out to tender approximately 2,000 dwellings in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will discuss with the London Borough of Enfield the situation of more than 6,000 families on the housing waiting list in relation to the council carrying out its house-building programme, in view of the fact that of 1,293 programmed in 1969–70, only 888 were started, and of 791 programmed in 1970–71 only 456 were started, and of these only 100 in the last nine months.

My Department is in regular touch with the Borough Council, and I was glad to learn that they plan to complete more than 4,000 dwellings in the next four years. This will be a welcome contribution to London's housing problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the non-availability of four-bedroom and five-bedroom dwellings for families registered with high priority on the housing waiting list of the London Borough of Hackney, what steps he proposes to take to enable urgent action to be taken to remedy the situation.

This is one of the problems which is being examined in the discussions currently taking place with the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will hold discussions with the Greater London Council on ways of improving its housing programe.

My right hon. Friend is in continual touch with the Greater London Council on a whole variety of matters including its housing programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has been informed of the number of sites the London Borough of Islington has acquired for housing purposes in the years 1968, 1969 and 1970, and the cost in each year.

The assembly of land for housing purposes is primarily a matter for the Borough, and the hon. Member should approach them for this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has been informed of the number of sites the London Borough of Islington expects to acquire for housing purposes in the years 1971, 1972 and 1973, and at what estimated cost in each year.

I cannot give exact particulars of sites, or their cost, but I understand that the Council already owns, or expects to be able to acquire, sufficient land to put approximately, 1,500 dwellings to tender in each of those years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific action he proposes to take to assist the London borough of Islington to maintain its construction of council houses.

The Department and this Borough are regularly and frequently in touch with a view to dealing with the specific problems which arise, and I hope that these close and friendly relations will continue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of local authority completions of new houses in the London borough of Islington for the years 1963 to 1970; and what is the estimated amount for 1971.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 3rd February, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of houses purchased and con- verted by housing associations in the London borough of Islington during the years 1965 to 1970.

This information is not available. Both the Islington London Borough Council and the G.L.C. enter into agreements with Housing Associations and the hon. Member should approach these authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has now received from the London borough of Islington to his circular concerning the sale of council houses.

The circular gives general consent to the sale of council houses and removing the restrictions applying previously in Greater London and other urban areas did not call for any reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the latest figures published by his department for housing starts in Greater London.

The decline in starts and in the number of dwellings put into tender over the last four years is disappointing. We are discussing with the London Authorities how that situation can be improved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of public-sector housing starts for which he gave loan sanction in the London Borough of Hammersmith in the years 1969 and 1970; and what is his estimate of similar starts for the year 1971.

The Hammersmith Council hope to put 638 dwellings to tender in 1971 but only the Council can say the precise dates on which these dwellings will be started.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT on a borough basis for the Greater London area, the number of housing schemes for which he has given loan sanction, the number of dwellings involved in each scheme and the dates upon which building is to commence, for the municipal year 1970–71.

These figures are not available. Available statistics relating to housebuilding are contained in my Department's regular publications "Housing Statistics—Great Britain" and "Local Housing Statistics—England and Wales".

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to assist the Greater London Council and the London Borough of Islington to acquire railway-owned land for housing purposes.

British Railways already offer their surplus land in the first instance to local authorities.The Leader of Islington Council recently wrote to me about railway sites in the borough, and I suggested the Council should clarify its needs in direct negotiations with the British Rail Property Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much railway-owned land has been acquired by the Greater London Council and the London Borough of Islington for housing purposes in the years 1968, 1969 and 1970; and at what cost in each year.

I suggest that the hon. Member should ask the two councils for this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the London Borough of Islington regarding Government assistance towards the purchase of disused railway land for housing sites; and if he will make a statement.

The Leader of Islington Council recently wrote to my right hon. Friend about railway sites in the borough and he suggested the Council should clarify its needs in direct negotiations with the British Rail Property Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what loan sanctions have been approved by him for the acquisition of land by Westminster City Council for the purpose of providing council built housing accommodation.

Since the coming into effect of the London Government Act, 1963, in April, 1965, the Department have issued loan sanctions of over £9 million for a number of housing purchases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is proposing to take to deal with the increasing numbers of homeless people in Greater London.

Homelessness arises from a number of factors, including social and personal problems as well as housing shortage. I am continually in touch with London Boroughs about the provision of houses.Hon. Members will also be aware that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has set up a working party to consider other aspects of homelessness. I shall be represented on this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for alleviating homelessness in the London Borough of Hammersmith.

My Department is continually in touch with Hammersmith on all aspects of the housing shortage, and the means of dealing with them. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has set up a working party on which my Department and London Boroughs are represented to consider aspects of homelessness.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussion he proposes to have with the Housing Department of the London Borough of Wandsworth, in an effort to reduce the increasing number of homeless families in the borough.

My Department is continually discussing with Wandsworth all aspects of the housing shortage and means of dealing with it. I understand that new accommodation recently made available by the Council will make a substantial contribution to the problem of homeless people in the Borough.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost per acre of building land in the central area of London; and what special help he will consider giving to local authorities who need to provide housing at moderate rents in the centre of London.

Costs vary so widely that no average figure means much. The reform of housing finance will put central London authorities in a better position to solve their housing problems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities in housing stress areas acquire land that is available for development to enable them to accelerate their housing programmes.

My Department has regular discussions with these authorities to see how enough land can be acquired to maintain a programme of new houses which will meet their needs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of land are now held by the London Borough of Havering Council for future housing development; and how much land the council now proposes to acquire to satisfy the requirements of his Department's Circular 10/70 of 22nd July, 1970.

The assembly of land for housing purposes is primarily a matter for the local authority, and the hon. Member should approach the Havering London Borough Council direct for this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will convene a meeting of inner and outer London borough councils with the object of securing greater availability of land so as to enable an increase to take place in municipal developments and thus ease the problems of stress areas within the Greater London area.

I have arranged to meet representatives of London Boroughs containing areas of housing stress on 2nd April, to discuss some of the problems which arise in these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of houses built in the Yorkshire and Humberside region between 1965 and 1970 and the yearly average number constructed in that region; and what is the number of houses currently under construction.

205,469 dwellings were completed in the region during the six years 1965 to 1970 inclusive, an annual average of 34,245. At the end of 1970 25,290 dwellings were under construction. More recent figures are not yet available because returns were delayed by the postal strike.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend his local government finance policy in such a way as will enable local authorities to purchase houses owned by the National Coal Board.

The hon. Member wrote to my hon. Friend on this subject and as I have explained in my reply, the acquisition by local authorities of existing buildings for the purposes of Part V of the Housing Act, 1957 will no longer require the Department's approval after 1st April, 1971., This is part of the new loan sanction procedures described in the Department's Circular 2/70.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has received for permission for the sale of houses from the London Borough of Hackney.

The circular giving my general consent to the sale of council houses and removing the restriction applying previously in Greater London and other urban areas did not require any authority to make proposals to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have been held between his Department and lending institutions other than the building societies in recent months on the provision of mortgage finance to home buyers.

There have been discussions about the option mortgage scheme with representatives of

• The Building Societies Association,
• The British Insurance Association,
• Life Offices Association,
• The Friendly Societies Liaison Committee,
• The Local Authority Associations,

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance has been given to local authorities under the Housing Act, 1969 in the Blyth constituency and the Northern Region; and what will be the effect in terms of housing development during the next five years.

527 grants have been approved under the Housing Act, 1969 for the improvement of local authority dwellings in the Blyth constituency. The estimated cost of the works to be carried out is £422,000 of which 50 per cent. will be met by the Exchequer. The corresponding figures for Northern Region are 5,966 grants and £3,040,000. I am hoping to see an appreciably larger number of grants made over the next five years not only in the public sector but to private owners also where there has been a really encouraging increase in the numbers already. More, however, must be done to improve older property and at the same time get rid of slums.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the talks between his officials and the local authority in regard to the development and clearance of the area of Cowpen Quay, Blyth, Northumberland; and what future plans have been submitted to him for the area.

I think the hon. Member has in mind discussions which are in progress between representatives of Blyth Council, the Northumberland County Council and my regional office in Newcastle aimed at preparing a comprehensive plan for improving housing and environmental conditions in the Cowpen Quay area. I very much hope proposals for action will be formulated shortly and will prove acceptable to the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek to amend the Rent Act, 1965 to empower rent officers to require landlords to provide detailed cost breakdowns of sums charged for services.

The Francis Committee's Report which I am considering, advises against such an amendment.In any case, the Rent Assessment Committee already have power, on appeal, to demand such information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will request local councils to double their rate of housebuilding in order to reduce unemployment, in view of the latest unemployment figures.

It is for the local authorities in the first instance to decide how the housing needs of their area should best be met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of sales of New Town houses to tenants.

Individual invitations to buy their houses have already been sent to about 92,000 new town tenants. 9,000 have expressed an interest in buying and 3,600 firm offers of sale, with selling price, have been made by development corporations and the Commission for the New Town. 714 offers have been accepted by tenants and 21 sales have been completed. This is an encouraging start and I expect the numbers of completed sales to increase steadily.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is his intention that, when rating revaluation takes place, the ceiling, above which rent decontrol takes place, will similarly be raised.

I shall consider at the appropriate time whether any change is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on those recommendations of the Francis Committee Report on which he has not so far commented.

Not yet. As I said in my announcement on 10th March, I want first to have the benefit of the debates and discussions to which the Francis Committee's Report is bound to give rise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made with his Department's experiment in serial contracting; and whether he will make a statement.

The six experimental programmes are still being monitored. No firm conclusions can be drawn until, at the earliest, December this year, when post-contract reports on all 29 individual projects in the experiment will have been received and analysed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has held with the London

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, following the publication of the Report of the Francis Committee, he will take steps to increase the protection of tenants against harassment and winkling.

As I have already informed the House, the Government have welcomed the Francis Committee's recommendations for higher penalties for harassment and illegal eviction. Implementation of these recommendations will require legislation and I am now considering this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the expenditure of the National Building Agency in each of the years since its inception; what fee income was received in each year; what was the grant aid from public funds in each year; and what are the estimated figures for 1971–72.

The figures, on an accrued basis, are as follows:Borough of Ealing concerning loan sanction for the acquisition of 29 acres of land formerly allocated for municipal housing; and if he will make a statement.

The hon. Member is presumably referring to seven sites which the Council wishes to see Housing Associations develop. I have agreed in principle to this proposal which will provide a useful contribution to meet the housing needs of the Borough.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now able to estimate the average increase in weekly rent for council tenants in the London Borough of Bexley on the basis that present housing subsidies are discontinued.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) on 23rd March.—[Vol. 814, c. 94.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish a committee of inquiry on the standards of housebuilding and the remedies open to owner-occupiers who are sold badly built or badly sited houses.

No. I see no need for such a committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of dwellings at present owned by the London boroughs of Brent, Camden, Hackney and Southwark on which his Department has paid grant-aid.

This information is not available to the Department as subsidy payments to local authorities are now made on the basis of monetary claims which do not show the number of dwellings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to prevent local authorities in London and other areas of housing shortage from handing over housing estates built with public money to private housing associations for the use of persons not drawn from municipal lists of those in urgent housing need.

Any proposals for the disposal of local authority housing receiving, or approved for, subsidy, require my consent. Each case is considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he expects to be the level of new building other than of houses in 1971; what are the prospects for 1975; and if he will make a statement.

The output, at constant prices of new construction work other than housing during 1971 is expected to be about the same as in 1970. Output in the non-housing sector in 1975 is likely to be well above the current level.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will advise the London Borough of Enfield to refrain from dismantling further their direct-labour building force in view of its record of service to the borough over 45 years, and its repeated ability successfully to compete in open tender with other builders.

This is a matter entirely for the decision of the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority houses at present meet Parker Morris standards, firstly on all counts, and secondly in terms of space and heating only; what proportion are both these the total of current local authority housing stock; and how rent levels on average in both cases compare with those for dwellings that fall short of these standards.

The full details requested by the hon. Member are not available. Some information about the incorporation of Parker Morris standards in dwellings put to tender by local authorities is in Table 15 of Housing Statistics, a copy of which is in the Library. The Department do not keep figures of comparative rent levels.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the progress being made by local authorities in establishing housing advisory centres; and if he will make a statement.

An ever-increasing number of authorities are setting up Housing Aid Centres; and I understand that many London Boroughs are proposing to do so in the near future.I have written to a number of selected housing authorities encouraging them to establish centres in their areas. It is too early yet to assess the full response.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision upon the London boroughs of Islington and Camden, Girdlestone Road, N.19, Redevelopment Order.

The London Borough of Islington (Girdlestone Road) CPO 1969 was confirmed on 12th March 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the delay to the Elthorne Road, N.19, re-development scheme, Greater London Council; when he anticipates that work will commence; and what is the estimated cost, and the actual number of flats to be erected.

The Greater London Council deferred the preparation of a housing scheme for the Elthorne Road site pending the report of a planning study, which included the site, carried out by Islington London Borough Council. They propose to provide some 1,300 dwellings on the site in four stages. The Department has approved a housing cost yardstick of £631,934 plus site development costs of £54,460 for the first stage of the development consisting of 142 dwellings. It is expected that work will commence this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of the Government with regard to the rôle of housing associations in respect of large-scale housing development and redevelopment in the Inner London area.

The Government's policy is to encourage housing associations to assist, wherever possible, with the London housing problem both by house improvement and conversion and, where practicable, by new building.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the London Borough of Hackney concerning general improvement areas in the borough.

The position concerning General Improvement Areas in the Borough has already been discussed at two meetings with the Council and is still under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing improvement grants were made in the London Borough of Hackney in 1970 and from 1st January, 1971, up to the present time.

In 1970 Improvement Grants were approved for 287 dwellings in Hackney. No information is yet available about grants approved this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average rent of newly built council flats and houses in Greater London in 1970, taking only rents not subject to rebate, taking only rents subject to rebate, and taking both together.

Detailed information of this kind is not kept by the Department and should be sought from the local authorities in Greater London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what amount the average rent of council property in the London Borough of Hammersmith has increased since June, 1970; and by what amount it is estimated to increase in the year 1971.

This information should be sought from the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the London Borough of Islington regarding the Hornsey Road Redevelopment Scheme; what extra cost the council will have to bear, due to the bankruptcy of the original contractors; and if he will make a statement.

None. The dwellings being erected on this site have been approved for subsidy, but the contractual arrangements are matters for the Islington Council, whom he should approach for further information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue a circular to the local authorities in London encouraging the acquisition of land by the Greater London Council in outer London boroughs with a view to providing housing for the relief of overcrowded inner London boroughs.

I have urged the authorities to consider all available means of meeting the London housing shortage, and do not think it appropriate to single out any one possible solution, in advance of the conference with them which I propose to hold.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the level of rent arrears last year in each of the London boroughs, county boroughs and non-county boroughs in England and Wales; and what percentage these totals represent of total annual rent income in each of these boroughs.

This information should be sought from the authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now take steps to collect information within his Department on the numbers of families at present on the waiting lists of local housing authorities in England and Wales.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that surplus railway land still available in London is used for new council house building, in view of the worsening housing situation in London.

British Railways already offer their surplus land in the first instance to the local authorities. The purpose for which such land is used is for the authorities to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to assist local authorities in the inner and outer London areas to acquire surplus land owned by British Rail for the purpose of municipal housing development.

British Railways already offer their surplus land in the first instance to local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated area of unoccupied office building in Central London; and what is the rate loss to local authorities.

The Department does not have this information. When it is required for any specific purpose it is obtained from the local authorities concerned. The hon. Member could adopt the same course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is now his estimate of the overall rate increases for the financial year 1971–72 expressed in percentage terms compared with the average percentage increase over the previous four years.

An exact assessment of rate increases will not be practicable until a few weeks' time when the usual returns have been made by all rating authorities. Early figures from a sample of authorities suggest that the average increase in poundage this year might be of the order of 13 per cent. to 14 per cent. The average annual increase over the last four years was a little over 6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment Whether he will take steps to reduce the delivery delays in the case of traffic lights required at dangerous junctions.

I propose to review as a matter of urgency with the local authority associations and the chairmen of the signal companies the time required for the delivery and installation of traffic lights with a view to ascertaining whether any reduction is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that planning permission for the building of houses is refused when the site is unsuitable.

No. In considering a planning application a local planning authority is already required by Section 17 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962 to have regard to any material consideration. The suitability of the land for development of the kind proposed is clearly such a consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will remove the abstract pictures in the Harcourt Room and replace them with examples of British art pleasing to the eye and consistent with the style of the room.

I am seeking the views of the Advisory Committee on Works of Art in the House of Commons and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received, from bodies other than the Water Resources Board, concerning the use of the Wash for the storage of fresh water.

My right hon. Friend has received representations from three other bodies only, all in favour of a feasibility study, but a substantial number had made representations to the previous administration. As my hon. Friend will know, my right hon. Friend has authorised a feasibility study since his question was put down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to announce his decision with regard to a full feasibility study of the Water Resources Board proposal concerning water storage in the Wash.

My right hon. Friend informed the House on 17th March, in reply to questions by the right hon. Member for Kettering (Sir G. de Freitas) and my hon. Friend the Member for the Isle of Ely (Sir H. Legge-Bourke) of his decision to authorise the study.—[Vol. 813, c. 1417–20.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further representations he has so far received on the White Paper on Local Government Reform; and what replies he has given.

I have received representatives from a number of local authorities, other bodies and members of the public. I have started consultations with the associations of local authorities and have asked the individual authorities for their views on proposed areas. Replies given have naturally varied with the circumstances of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now announce the date of the start of work on the Malton bypass on the A64.

Consideration of this scheme for a place in the programme is well advanced. I hope it will be possible to make an announcement within a few weeks after Easter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the movement of land prices during 1970.

It would be premature to do so before the details for 1970 are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many and which local authorities have so far failed to signpost all public paths at their junctions with metalled roads and to way mark them en route, as required by the Countryside Act, 1968.

My Department does not keep records of sign-posting and waymarking carried out under the Countryside Act, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek writs of mandamus against all local authorities which have not, within the next six months, cleared all public pathways in their areas and made them passable for foot, hoof or wheel as the case may be.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the membership of the Local Government Boundary Commission and its terms of reference.

I shall be consulting the local authority associations on both these aspects and will make an announcement later.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment from whom and in what form will representation be received by the Local Government Boundary Commission.

The Commission will take account of local proposals from all sources concerning county districts outside the "metropolitan" counties. Proposals will of necessity be in writing in the first place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now announce the line of the A41 bypass, Kings Langley to Tring.

Publication of proposals for this road has been deferred pending a decision on the siting of the Third London Airport. A proposed line will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many desalination plants he anticipates will be operating in Great Britain by December, 1972.

None for water supply. The experimental freezing plant at Ipswich, which will be operating in about two years' time, will provide more accurate information in about three to four years' time from now about the costs and the suitability for public supply of the water produced; but on present information there is no immediate prospect of any large contribution to the country's water supplies from desalination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the London Borough of Islington concerning his proposals for the financing of schemes for the clearance of derelict factory sites.

None. I have no new proposals of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that the ring road in Norwich, started in the 1930's, is still not completed; and if he will approve proposals for a by-pass to the Carrow area, in order to finish the road started over 35 years ago.

The Norwich Area Land Use/Transportation Survey now in progress will provide a comprehensive basis for determination of the city's future highway needs in the light of which the Norwich Ring Road in the Carrow area will be reconsidered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount paid from Government sources in respect of rate support grants to the London Borough of Bexley in each of the financial years 1967 to 1970; what is the total grant to be paid for the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

The latest estimates of rate support grants for the London Borough of Bexley for the years 1967–68 to 1971–72 are:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local associations within the London Borough of Ealing expressing concern at noise, vibration, industrial nuisance, pollution of the environment, and possible encroachment on residential areas by industrial development.

None, except for some representations from local residents about a planning permission for warehouses on railway land.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the First Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, he will take steps to discourage the increase in the demand for piped water, either by universal metering or in some other way.

My Department has already begun a research study into the effect of metering on demand, and is exploring the possibility of further studies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for new regulating reservoirs in Derbyshire; and if he will make a statement.

I await the report of the Water Resources Board on its survey of water demands and resources in Wales and the Midlands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet come to a conclusion on the line of the new motorway to link Sheffield and Manchester; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend is now considering the results of a study into the feasibility of a new high standard route linking Manchester and Sheffield and hopes to make an announcement before long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of oil spillage into the waters surrounding Great Britain in 1969 and 1970, respectively; and what proportion of the oil came from collision, strandings and the cleaning of ships' tanks.

It is impossible to give any precise estimate but the main source of oil pollution is thought to be discharges of tank washings and contaminated ballast water from ships. The Oil in Navigable Waters Bill will enable us to tackle this form of pollution more effectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to provide statutory protection for hedgerows abutting public rights of way, footpaths and bridlepaths, in view of the danger of extinguishment of ancient rights which are ploughed up and not reinstated.

No. Local authorities already have powers under the Highways Act, 1959, to take action where public rights of way are ploughed up and not reinstated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next hopes to meet the Humber Bridge Board; and if he will make a statement on the proposals he has put to the Board for financing the Humber Bridge and the reply he received from the Board which he is considering.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what decision he has finally made regarding the financing of the future Humber Bridge following his discussions with the Humber Bridge Board which he last met on 2nd February.

I am still considering information put to me by the Board. I am in touch with it as necessary and will give my decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement on the financing of the Humber Bridge.

I am still considering information put to me by the Board. I am in touch with it as necessary and will give my decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of concern in the Greater London area at the level of rate increases, he will take special action to increase Government rate contributions to local authorities in the area.

The total of Exchequer grants was fixed in the Rate Support Grant Order which was approved by the House on 10th December, 1970. This provides for 57½ per cent. of local authority relevant expenditure in 1971–72 to be met by grant. The rate to be levied by each authority is a matter to be decided in the light of local circumstances, and I have noted, for example, that the G.L.C. recommended rate makes substantial provision for capital expenditure from revenue and for the building up of reserves.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what grant he now proposes to make to the Greater London Council for the construction of the Fleet Line in South-East London.

My right hon. Friend is considering the application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated superficial area of office building remaining empty up to and including 31st December, 1970, in the areas covered by the City of London, City of Westminster, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the London Boroughs of Camden, Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, Southwark, and Tower Hamlets, respectively; and if he will list them in the OFFICIAL REPORT, together with the rateable value and the actual rates collected on the empty office buildings in 1970.

My Department does not have this information. When it is required for any specific purpose it is obtained from the local authorities concerned. The hon. Member could adopt the same course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the importance of Exeter as the communications centre of the South-West, he will reconsider the decision to transfer the Divisional Road Engineer's Department from Exeter to Bristol.

No. The proposed move of the divisional road engineer's office is to bring it into line with other regional offices of my Department, with responsibility for the whole of the South-West Economic Planning Region and situated at regional headquarters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation requiring local authorities to submit plans for the reclamation of derelict land; and if he will make a statement.

No. Local authorities most severely affected have drawn up detailed reclamation programmes, and I do not consider that such legislation would increase the rate at which derelict land is reclaimed.