HC Deb 09 December 1948 vol 459 cc548-9
40. Mr. Piratin

asked the Minister of Health how long the 163 families accommodated by the L.C.C. in London workhouses have been there; whether husbands are separated from wives; and whether he will ask the L.C.C. to give special priority for re-housing to these cases.

Mr. Bevan

The majority of the families have been accommodated for periods varying from one to 12 weeks, but in some cases the period is considerably longer. In 36 instances the husband is accommodated with his family. Priority for rehousing is a matter for the local housing authority.

Mr. Piratin

In view of the very distressing circumstances of these families, particularly those separated for longer than the three months mentioned by the Minister, would the Minister consult with the L.C.C. with a view to giving them very high priority? It would not affect the overall position in London and would help these people. Would he do that?

Mr. Bevan

I will certainly consult about those who have been separated from their families for a longer period; but, of course, the selection of tenants for houses is a matter laid by statute entirely upon the local authority, and I do not think hon. Members would like to accept the odium of making a selection.

Mr. Berry

Is my right hon. Friend aware that persons accommodated in workhouses are those who have come into London comparatively recently; and is he further aware that people who are evicted by order of the court are accommodated at rest centres, and not in workhouses?

Mr. Bevan

There are varying sets of circumstances and I should not like to say which one prevails over the others. It is certainly the case that families have come into London, and have swollen and exaggerated local housing difficulties.

Mr. Henry Usborne

I do not think my right hon. Friend answered the part of the Question, which asks whether husbands are separated from wives. Could he tell us whether that is so?

Mr. Bevan

I did so. I said that in 36 instances the husband was accommodated with his family.

Mr. Ronald Chamberlain

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is not only families coming into London who find their way into workhouses; that the rest centres are full of cases of eviction, and that consequently a great number of families have to go to workhouses?

Mr. Bevan

I hope the House will give attention to the reply itself, which shows that this problem, while it is individually severe, is not so extensive as is imagined.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

Is the Minister aware that in poor law institutions in Middlesex husbands are kept separate from their wives and families, and have been in that situation for as much as five months at a time; what instructions does he issue to these local authorities to limit the period for which families are broken up like this?

Mr. Bevan

The hon. and gallant Member makes that statement. I hope he will send me particulars so that at least one of his statements can be confirmed.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

It is already in the Minister's office.

Mrs. Braddock

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Liverpool there are families which have been separated and living in institutions for over 12 months?

Mr. Speaker

This Question deals with London workhouses, not Liverpool workhouses.

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