§ 10. Mr. McKEAGasked the Minister of Health in how many instances the land comprised in clearance areas has been utilised by local authorities for the building of new houses; and in how many cases is it proposed to so utilise such land within six months of the demolition of the property thereon?
Sir H. YOUNGInformation as to instances where the land comprised in clearance areas has been so utilised by local authorities is in my possession only as regards areas in repect of which compulsory purchase orders have been made. I am aware of 67 such areas and it may generally be assumed that rebuilding commences immediately after the clearance of the sites.
§ Mr. McKEAGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if in those cases where the whole of the land of the area is not required he does not think that it is much better to concentrate upon new houses rather than upon the destruction of old ones?
Sir H. YOUNGI think that the hon. Member should give me notice of that question, because his question referred to places where the land is so required.
§ 11. Mr. McKEAGasked the Minister of Health in how many cases objections to the demolition of dwelling-houses scheduled under clearance orders have been lodged on the ground that such dwelling-houses belong to old-age pensioners; in how many cases has it been represented that the dwelling-houses comprise the only possession of the old-age pensioners; in how many cases have old-age pensioners proposed to be displaced submitted that they would be unable to pay the rents of council houses; and in how many cases has compensation been offered to such old-age pensioners?
§ Mr. McKEAGWill the right hon. Gentleman consider specific cases if particulars are given to him, and, generally, in view of the very grievous injury which is being inflicted upon many people by 1992 reason of the confiscation of their property without compensation, will he consider whether any steps can be taken to mitigate hardship in exceptional cases?
Sir H. YOUNGI am not aware that any such general injury is being inflicted, but I will certain consider any case which the hon. Member brings to my attention.
§ 15. Mrs. TATEasked the Minister of Health in how many cases he is assured that the slum-clearance programmes adopted by local authorities in accordance with Circular 1331 will be completed within five years?
Sir H. YOUNGWith the exception of a few instances in which I am negotiating with the authorities concerned with a view to securing acceleration, and of London, the programmes adopted by local authorities are for completion within five years.