HC Deb 01 November 1934 vol 293 cc350-1
54. Captain WATERHOUSE

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that he will not confirm any order by a local authority seeking to include in a clearance area, under the Housing Act, 1930, a building fit for habitation, merely by reason of its bad arrangement in relation to its neighbours or on account of the narrowness or bad arrangement of the streets?

Sir H. YOUNG

Yes, Sir. As I have previously stated, the policy of the Government is on the lines referred to in this question.

Captain WATERHOUSE

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there will be very general satisfaction with that reply, and will he include a provision of this nature in the legislation which he contemplates bringing before the House?

Sir H. YOUNG

I must not anticipate legislation that is to be presented, but I would again emphasise the fact that the actual administration has been in accordance with this practice throughout.

Captain WATERHOUSE

My right hon. Friend is unable to bind his successor, and will he bear this in mind when he comes to frame the legislation?

Sir H. YOUNG

Yes, that is so.

Mr. PIKE

Will my right hon. Friend also give an assurance that back-to-back property is not necessarily property that must be cleared unless it comes within other meanings of the Act?