HC Deb 05 February 1931 vol 247 cc2112-3
77. Mr. DAY

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the House statistics of the number of condemned houses in the borough of Southwark?

Miss LAWRENCE

My right hon. Friend is informed that the number of condemned houses in the borough of Southwark is now 695.

Mr. DAY

Has my hon. Friend's Department any power to see that the local council insist upon the owners who receive rents for these condemned houses making them fit for human habitation?

Miss LAWRENCE

I think that perhaps it may be as well if I state that a great number of these houses come under clearance schemes.

Mr. DAY

Has the Department power to see that, in the case of these hundreds of houses which are more than overcrowded at the present time, the local council make them fit for human habitation?

Miss LAWRENCE

I would refer my hon. Friend and the House to the Act, which, it will be found, gives the Minister very considerable powers.

Mr. DAY

Will the Department insist upon exercising those powers?

Miss LAWRENCE

I have pointed out that many of these houses come under clearance schemes already.