§ 77. Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Health whether he can give the House statistics of the number of condemned houses in the borough of Southwark?
§ Miss LAWRENCEMy right hon. Friend is informed that the number of condemned houses in the borough of Southwark is now 695.
§ Mr. DAYHas 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 LAWRENCEI think that perhaps it may be as well if I state that a great number of these houses come under clearance schemes.
§ Mr. DAYHas 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 LAWRENCEI would refer my hon. Friend and the House to the Act, which, it will be found, gives the Minister very considerable powers.
§ Miss LAWRENCEI have pointed out that many of these houses come under clearance schemes already.