§ 38. Mrs. RUNGEasked the Minister of Health whether he is considering the desirability of recommending to local authorities engaged in slum clearance work in industrial districts the temporary use of public parks and open spaces for providing decanting accommodation?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)The circumstances of different towns vary greatly, but my right hon. Friend would give sympathetic consideration to any practicable proposals submitted by local authorities for the temporary use for decanting of parks and open spaces in their ownership.
§ Mrs. RUNGEBearing in mind that summer is approaching, does the Minister not think that this would be the best time to do anything of that nature; and is it not desirable to start at once, instead of wasting another year?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI entirely concur in that general statement.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs the word "decanting" an official term used by the Ministry in connection with this work?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREIt does not occur in an Act of Parliament, but it is a rough and ready way of describing something which everyone understands.
§ Mr. MAXTONWould the hon. Gentleman consider getting some other word more appropriate for use in reference to human beings.