§ 19. Mr. AMMONasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a pensioned ex-service man now in the employ of the Post Office has been compelled to live in a four-roomed house in Hitchin which has been condemned with a view to demolition, but for which he pays a rent to the Hitchin Urban District Council; whether the back room downstairs cannot be occupied as part of the wall has fallen down, leaving the room to be exposed to the weather; that one of the outside walls has bulged and left the ceiling of the same room and the floor of the bedroom above entirely unsupported along one side; that the bedroom can only be crossed with extreme caution as there is danger of collapse; that the rain comes through a hole in the roof of the same bedroom; and that this house is occupied by a man and his wife with a family of eight children, the wife being pregnant, and one daughter and two sons are adults; and whether, under these conditions, he will bring pressure to bear upon the local authorities to provide better accommodation?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Montague Barlow)My right hon. Friend has no information on the matter to which 3123 the hon. Member refers, but he is making inquiries and will communicate further with the hon. Member.
§ Mr. AMMONWill the Minister of Labour or his Department bring pressure to bear on these people to provide accommodation?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI will communicate with my right hon. Friend.