asked the Minister for the Environment the number of local authority houses completed in each of the past three years; and if he will give an estimate of the number of completions provided for in 1983.

The information requested is as follows: 1980—5, 984; 1981—5,681; 1982—5,686. It is estimated that 5,800 houses will be completed in 1983.

The Minister will recall that this time last year the Minister for the Environment discovered that the allocations provided to the local authorities were inadequate. Later on in the year the Minister provided local authorities with an extra contribution——

A question, please, Deputy.

Is it the Minister's intention to ensure that the local authorities will receive an adequate amount of money to build sufficient houses? I would also like to ask if the sums are found to be inadequate now, will they be supplemented later on in the year?

The provision of £208 million for 1983 for the provision of local authority houses is an increase from the £187.5 million provided last year and I am optimistic that that sum will be adequate to complete the programme as outlined.