HC Deb 11 July 1923 vol 166 cc1344-5
77. Sir K. WOOD

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether there are any empty, houses on the Well Hall estate, near Woolwich; and whether they are being offered for sale or are they also available for letting?

The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir John Baird)

There are at the present time six empty houses on this estate. One of these has been sold, for two others offers have been received as a result of which sales will be effected shortly, and as regards the remaining three, which have only fallen vacant during the last three weeks, many offers have been received and are being considered by my Department. Such houses as become vacant are not being offered for letting, but are being sold, and it is found that there is a ready market for them.

Sir K. WOOD

Is there any truth in the allegation, made in the public Press, that these houses are being kept vacant by the action of the Office of Works, owing to the stipulation that they are to be sold and not to be let?

Sir J. BAIRD

I did not notice what appeared in the public Press, but the facts are as I have stated.

Mr. J. JONES

Are the Government showing a good example to private owners when they insist on the houses being sold instead of being let?

Sir J. BAIRD

The Government have got to do the best they can with the taxpayers' property. Whether a man buys a house or rents it the result is the same so far as accommodating people with houses is concerned.

Mr. McENTEE

If the houses are held for sale they cannot be occupied, so that that answer cannot be correct.

Sir J. BAIRD

The answer is correct. The houses are only held for a reasonable time to see whether there are any buyers, and in every case there is a large number of buyers. If it should appear that there are no buyers, obviously we should let them.

Mr. THOMAS

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman understand that if the Government are introducing a Bill to deal with the shortage of houses, the Government ought themselves to set an example and not keep the houses vacant looking from buyers as distinct from tenants?

Sir J. BAIRD

That is as broad as it is long. Houses can only be occupied by a certain number of people, whether they are sold or let. We prefer to sell houses rather than to let them.