To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to allow local authorities or housing associations to make use of underspending arising out of the failure to set up any of the planned housing action trusts.

No, Sir. Tenants are currently voting in Hull—on a proposal supported by the city council—and a ballot is due in a few months in Waltham Forest.

I am disappointed in that reply in view of the current deplorable position of no housing action trusts having yet been formed. Money has been put aside, but has not been used. Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision and use that money to allow local authorities to build or renovate houses for the people of their areas?

The moral of the story is that a housing action trust should come into existence and take advantage of the money that is available as quickly as possible.