§ 31. Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the advertisement for the sale of a property known as Waterbridge Cottages, at Cranleigh, Surrey, wherein two ancient cottages, together with two acres of land, are offered for sale at £2,000, the rates on which are £3 per annum each; and, in view of the difficulty of obtaining accommodation outside big cities, whether he will take steps to control the selling price of all accommodation in rural areas?
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Ernest Brown)The answer to the first part of the Question is No. I am having local inquiries made and will inform my hon. Friend of the result. As regards the second part, local authorities have full power to requisition empty houses where there is a shortage of accommodation and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular in which I specially asked them to use such powers in the case of houses held for sale. In the circumstances I do not consider that further powers are necessary at present.
§ Mr. StokesWill the Minister, when making representations to the local authority, point out to them that henceforth this particular site should have its rateable value put up to £2,000 and that the rates should be assessed on that amount?