§ 92. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he is aware that a considerable amount of slum property in the borough of Poplar has been abandoned; that the local authority has no means of tracing the owners, consequently many people are living under insanitary conditions owing to the local authority being powerless to deal with the matter; and will he, when introducing the new Housing Bill, include such provisions as will enable local authorities to take over such properties without compensation, and either by restoration or rebuilding make them fit for human habitation?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSLocal authorities already have wide powers under the Housing Acts of acquiring and reconstructing slum properties by means of schemes which, as soon as approved by the Minister, enable the procedure of the Lands Clauses Acts to be applied. These Acts contain special provisions for dealing with cases where owners of property cannot he found. The question whether further legislation is desirable will be considered in connection with the new Housing Bill.