§ 64. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that profiteering in houses is on the increase; whether his attention has been called to certain houses which have just been erected in Balham at the cost of £800 per house which are being offered for sale leasehold at £1,650; and whether, if he has not power to deal with this matter, he will seek authority from Parliament?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend has no evidence that profiteering in houses is on the increase. As regards the houses to which the hon. Member refers, my right hon. Friend understands that they were not subsidised from public funds, and he has no information with regard to the sale prices of unsubsidised houses. He does not think that it would be practicable to deal with this matter by legislation.
§ Mr. BAKERDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that it is the duty of the Government to safeguard the position, so far as their middle-class supporters are concerned, having regard to the fact that this is the second piece of information I have brought to his notice of gross profiteering? Does he not think that this matter ought to be inquired into?
§ Sir K. WOODThe facts which the hon. Gentleman refers to in his question refer to houses with which neither the State nor the local authorities have anything to do. With regard to subsidised houses the local authorities can—and in many 504 cases they do so—make the condition that, on re-sale, after a certain period, a certain purchase price should not be exceeded.
§ Mr. BAKERIf the middle classes cannot look to this Government for support and succour will they not be forced to turn to the Labour party?