To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many additional houses will be built as a result of his Valleys initiative.

During the three years of the Valleys programme I expect 10,000 new homes to be built and 32,000 to be improved.

Will the Secretary of State take account of what has been said this afternoon about local people being able to live in their own communities, particularly in the valleys, where there has been a great increase in the number of people who have come in, a great rise in house prices and a great scarcity of houses to rent? Will the right hon. Gentleman invoke planning powers so that local authorities there can cater specifically for local people?

There are several ways in which local authorities can and do assist with housing local people, and I am sure that they will continue to do that. The work of the new Housing Corporation, under its excellent new chairman and board, will do the same. The figures that I have just given—10,000 new homes and 32,000 properties to be improved—represent a fairly substantial programme.