§ 67. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of local authorities which have agreed to waive restrictions on the keeping of poultry by tenants of council houses, and the number which have not done so?
§ Mr. ColvilleI regret that I am unable to supply the information requested by my hon. Friend, but I am considering the issue of a circular to local authorities upon the subject.
§ 68. Sir T. Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, during the war, in view of the extreme shortage of accommodation, all restrictions imposed by Scottish local authorities on the housing of lodgers in council houses are being suspended?
§ Mr. ColvilleRestrictions on the keeping of lodgers by tenants of council houses are imposed at the discretion of the local authority, and I understand that it is a usual condition of the letting of council houses that the consent of the local authority is required to the keeping of lodgers. I have no reason to believe that under present conditions consent will be unreasonably withheld where the local circumstances are such that any restrictions imposed in the past ought to be relaxed.
§ Sir T. MooreWould my right hon. Friend consider notifying the local authorities who are in charge of reception areas that this restriction should be minimised as far as possible?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am anxious not to interfere with the discretion of local authorities, who are aware of the conditions in their areas, but I will bear in mind the point.