HC Deb 09 December 1942 vol 385 c1557
33. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning, whether, in the case of blocks of flats or tenements, the £100 regulation limiting expenditure in any one year applies to the whole of the building or to each separate hereditament?

Mr. Hicks

The limitation to which the hon. Member refers applies to the whole building if it is the subject of a single Schedule A assessment, or where there is no such assessment, if it is the subject of a single valuation in a valuation list. If, however, the flats are the subject of such separate assessments or valuations, the limitation applies to each individual flat. It is, of course, open to any person who desires to carry out work in excess of £100 to make application for a licence.

Mr. Bellenger

Would my hon. Friend, at this stage of the war, reconsider this regulation? It is preventing many war-damaged properties being put into repair and so easing the housing situation.

Mr. Hicks

I will certainly take notice of my hon. Friend's suggestion, but, so far as I am aware, there is no difficulty in applying for a licence subject to the £100 limit.

Sir I. Albery

Is the hon. Member aware that there is a widespread opinion that an application for a licence to decorate a flat is not at all easy to get, and that it is seldom obtained?

Mr. Hicks

That is entirely a question of the allocation of materials.