HC Deb 04 June 1934 vol 290 cc566-8
33. Mr. REMER

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the property owned by Miss Shawcross, of 107, Great King Street, Macclesfield, at Numbers 4–6, Welcome Street, Hulme, Manchester, which is certified by an independent agent to be in a fair state of repair and to meet the existing by-laws of the corporation relating to improved town property; if he is aware that Welcome Street is a wide street and, with the demolition of other property in the neighbourhood, would not be overshadowed; that tenants have lived in this property without ill-health for 28 years; and if he will have this property excluded from the demolition scheme in this area?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)

Yes, Sir. This property was included by the corporation of Manchester in the Hulme Clearance Order. My right hon. Friend was satisfied, after considering all the evidence before him, including the report of his inspector who viewed the property, that the property was unfit for human habitation, and properly included in the Order. He accordingly confirmed the Order in November, 1933, and he has no power to re-open the question.

Mr. REMER

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this property has been investigated by several independent people who are of the opinion that it is in accordance with the by-laws of the corporation?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

No evidence was submitted at the time of the inquiry, and I have personally examined the details of the property which is old, damp and dilapidated. It is 100 years old, with a density of 80 to the acre, and the property-was properly included.

Mr. REMER

In view of the unsatisfactory answer which I have received, I beg to give notice that I shall refer to this matter on the Adjournment on the earliest possible occasion.

35. Mr. HUTCHISON

asked the Minister of Health what is the usual policy of local authorities in providing temporary accommodation for people recanted as a result of slum clearance operations; and whether such accommodation is created ad hoc and with the intention of ultimately doing away with it when the need for which it was created has been met?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The accommodation provided by a local authority for occupation, whether temporarily or permanently, by persons removed from houses to be demolished in the course of slum clearance operations, has usually, if not invariably, been of permanent construction.

Captain DOWER

Does not my hon. Friend think that the word "homeless" would be more suitable than the word "decanted"?

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