§ 90. Lady CYNTHIA MOSLEYasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the advisability of providing the local authorities with powers and facilities for the purchase of existing housing accommodation in order to assist them in the better allocation of such accommodation and meet the requirement's of working-class families unable to pay the rent of new council houses and at present living in overcrowded conditions?
§ Mr. GREENWOODLocal authorities already have powers under Section 57 of the Housing Act, 1925, to provide housing accommodation for the working classes by acquiring houses suitable for the purpose.
§ Lady CYNTHIA MOSLEYIf they have that authority, will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to see that they use it?
§ Mr. GREENWOODOne must have regard to the circumstances of a particular town. I believe that in the case of Birmingham that authority has already been given.
§ Mr. OLDFIELDWill the right hon. Gentleman point out to the Westminster City Council that there are plenty of empty houses around Belgrave Square which might very well be divided up and made available.