LONDON (AFX) - UK housing starts rose 19 pct on a seasonally-adjusted basis in the three months to April when compared with the previous 3 months, while total completions in the same period were up 7 pct, according to figures released by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). Housing starts totalled 51,600 in the latest three months while completions numbered 40,400. In April, housing starts were provisionally estimated at 17,700, compared with 14,200 in April a year ago, while completions rose to 14,600 from 12,700, according to provisional estimates.