HC Deb 21 March 1932 vol 263 cc696-7
53 Sir WILFRID SUGDEN

asked the Minister of Health (1) why the Liverpool (Burlington Street Areas) Improvement Scheme, approved by him in 1924, is not yet completed; and whether it is with his approval that the Liverpool Corporation have been in receipt of rents from the houses, which were at that time declared unfit for human habitation, from 1924 to the present time;

(2) whether, in view of the fact that under Section 46 of the Housing Act, 1925, no compensation is paid for condemned houses, he will instruct public authorities to make arrangements in cases where demolition will extend over a period of years to allow the owners to retain the ownership of their premises up to the time that their houses are actually required for demolition;

(3) whether he is aware that it is the intention of the Liverpool Corporation to execute the Queen Anne Street area improvement scheme by stages extend- ing over a period of several years, and that the corporation are requiring the immediate conveyance of the whole of the properties in this area; and if it is with his approval that the Liverpool Corporation propose to take the rents from the tenants of the condemned houses pending demolition?

Sir H. YOUNG

The carrying out of all improvement scheme by a local authority is a matter within their discretion, and I have no power to express approval or disapproval of the action taken. As my hon. Friend will realise it may often not be practicable to undertake the demolition of all the properties in an area at one time, and it may well be that the unsatisfactory conditions present can only be mitigated pending demolition if the local authority are in possession of the houses.

Sir W. SUGDEN

Will not the right hon. Gentleman under the powers he possesses under the 1925 Act supervise the actions of the local authority in Liverpool, as great hardship is being done to many of the working-classes, and particularly to ex-Service men, who have gone to the extent in some cases of commuting their pensions in order to obtain houses, and in return have been given a mere pittance for the land upon which the houses are built?

Mr. LOGAN

Is it not the fact that since the local authority have taken this work in hand working-class families have received better conditions than under the old system?

Sir W. SUGDEN

In regard to that question—

HON. MEMBERS

Order!

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