66 67 and 68. Mrs. WARDasked the Minister of Health (1) the number of houses being built by private enterprise in the Brownhills urban area, and if these houses are to be let or for sale;
(2) if he is aware of the conditions of overcrowding in the Brownhills urban area; and if he will take steps to see that council houses to be let in future are allocated to people now living in overcrowded conditions;
(3) the number of people living in council houses in the Brownhills urban area who can be described as lower-paid workers; and how many of these tenants live in the lowest rented houses?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREMy right hon. Friend is aware that there are families living in overcrowded conditions in this area. The allocation of houses erected by local authorities is within the discretion of the local authority concerned, subject to observance of the requirement in Section 3 (1) (f) of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, that reasonable preference shall be given to large families in letting houses provided under that Act. Fifty-one houses were completed by private enterprise in this district during the year ended 30th September last. The information in the possession of my right hon. Friend does not indicate whether these were for sale or for letting, or as to the means of the tenants.
Mrs. WARDIs my hon. Friend aware that there is a waiting list of 1,000 people for houses in this area, and what steps does he propose to take?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREIf the local authority is satisfied that private enterprise is not meeting the need in that district, it should apply to the Ministry of Health for permission to build unsubsidised houses.
§ Mr. PIKEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the salary limit that the local authorities are putting on applicants for council houses is preventing a large number of people for whom they were originally built from occupying them, and will he look into it?
Mrs. WARDIs my hon. Friend aware that the right people are not getting the council houses in this area; and will he see that the Minister's instructions are carried out?
§ Miss RATHBONEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the light people are not getting into the houses in any area, and what steps is he taking to see that the Minister's circular is carried out?