34. Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Health whether any local authorities have declined to offer for sale council houses built under the 1923 Act, or to operate the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act; and what action his Department has taken to encourage local authorities to sell houses to those who wish to buy?
§ Sir K. WOODThe control of houses erected by local authorities is a matter for those authorities, and the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts and similar 376 provisions are adoptive by local authorities. My right hon. Friend has, by circular and other means, recommended local authorities to utilise the powers which they possess for the encouragement of house ownership, and although there are many local authorities which have not taken action, the use of these powers is becoming more widespread every year.
Viscountess ASTORIs there no other way in which we can ginger up the local authorities except by way of circulars, seeing that it is the Unionist party's policy that every man should own his own house?
§ Sir K. WOODWe are doing all we can, but if the Noble Lady can make any further suggestion I shall be glad to consider it.