HC Deb 28 July 1919 vol 118 cc1896-7

(1)If the owner of any house suitable for occupation by persons of the working classes fails to make and keep such house in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation then, with out prejudice to any other powers, the local authority may serve a notice upon the owner of such house requiring him within a reasonable time, not being less than twenty-one days specified in the notice, to execute such works as may be necessary to make the house in all respects reasonably lit for human habitation.

(2)If the notice given by he local authority is not complied with, the authority may, at the expiration of the time specified in the notice given by them to the owner, do the work re quired to be done.

Lords Amendments, in lieu of their Amendment to insert at the end of Subsection (l) the words Provided that the owner may within twenty-one days after the receipt of such notice, by written notice to the local authority, declare his intention of closing the house for human habitation, and thereupon a closing order shall be deemed to have become operative in respect of such house.

—Disagreed to by the Commons:

At the end of Sub-section (1) insert the words Provided that if such house is not capable without reconstruction of being rendered fit for human habitation, the owner may, within twenty-one days after the receipt of such notice by written notice to the local authority, declare his intention of closing the house for human habitation and thereupon the closing order shall be deemed to have become operative in respect of such house. Any question arising under this proviso shall in case of difference between the owner and the local authority be determined by the Local Government Board.

—Agreed to.

After the word "with" ["complied with"] insert the words and if the owner hag not given such notice as aforesaid.

Major ASTOR

I beg to move, That this House doth disagree with the Lords in the said Amendment. When we have disagreed with the Amendment I will propose a new Sub-section in substitution.

Question put, and agreed to.

Major ASTOR

I beg to move, to leave out Sub-section (2), and to insert instead thereof the following new Sub-section, (2) If the notice of the local authority is not complied with the local authority may—

  1. (a)at the expiration of the time specified in that notice if no such notice as aforesaid has been given by the owner, and
  2. (b)at the expiration of twenty-one days from the determination by the Local Government Board if such notice has been given by the owner and the Local Government board have determined that the House is capable without reconstruction of being made fit for human habitation, do the work required.

Question put, and agreed to.