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A major step. has been taken which will further
increase our control of the squatter population. For the
first time we are undertaking a survey of squatter inhabitants
rather than squatter huts. The results of that survey, which is about half-way through, will enable us to quantify our
commitment to re-housing the squatter population once and
for all. People not included in that survey will not be
entitled to public housing.
I would not wish to give the impression we have
given up hope of making savings and our current high level
of clearances is already allowing us to make substantial
economies. Following a value-for-money study in 1983, the
deployment of squatter control teams has been streamlined
with the staff reduced from 3,000 to 2,400 with an annual
saving of 6 million dollars in real terms. A further
value-for-money report has recently been completed and is being examined within the Department. No less than 65,000
squatters will be cleared annually under the development
and non-development programme. This, in turn, should allow for a further reduction of squatter control staff and I am confident that further savings can be achieved year by year.
Sir, squatter control is a stop gap measure and
there is only one sensible, practical and long-term solution
to this problem. Squatter control becomes very cheap indeed when there are no squatters. We now have squatting under control and have established a comprehensive squatter
clearance programme.
We have a construction programme capable
of re-housing our urban squatters without jeopardizing our
other housing commitments. Through no fault of our own we have been blown off-course many times in the past. I believe, Sir, we now have a real opportunity to see a solution to
this problem which has concerned us for so long.
Sir, I support the Motion.