asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of applicants for housing currently on local authority housing lists; the number of such lists as at 28th February, 1986, 1987 and 1988; and the total number of such applicants to whom housing will be offered by local authorities during 1989.
Written Answers. - Housing Lists.
44.
Details of approved applicants for local authority housing are compiled showing the position as at 31 December each year. On this basis, the number of approved applicants was: 1985, 22,345; 1986, 20,637; 1987, 18,561.
Full returns for 1988 have not yet been received from all housing authorities but the number of approved applicants is expected to be in the region of 17,500.
I am not in a position, at this stage, to give an estimate of the number of first time lettings which local authorities will make in 1989.