HC Deb 22 July 1943 vol 391 cc1060-1
27. Mr. Craven-Ellis

asked the Minister of Health, as the rentals payable by occupiers of local authority houses completely liquidate the cost in 40 to 6o years, why, at the end of such period, is the house not conveyed freehold and free from encumbrance to the occupier?

Mr. E. Brown

The rent paid by the occupier of a local authority house is usually a heavily subsidised rent in no way comparable to the payment which would be required for purchase of the house.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Why cannot the people who occupy council houses, and have paid for them over this period through their rents, own the houses at the end of the period? Why cannot they have possession and afterwards live rent free?

Mr. Brown

I have already answered that question.

28. Mr. Craven-Ellis

asked the Minister of Health whether the occupiers of houses built in the post-war period by local authorities will be subjected to a means test; and, if not, what steps will be taken to prevent people occupying such houses who can afford to purchase their own and to avoid intensifying the hardships of the lesser-paid section of the working community as well as those with large families?

Mr. Brown

The general management, regulation and control of houses provided by local authorities is by Statute vested in and exercised by the authorities: they are required by Statute to secure that, in the selection of their tenants, a reasonable preference is given to persons who are occupying unsatisfactory or overcrowded houses, have large families or are living in unsatisfactory housing conditions and, in fixing rents, to take into consideration the rents ordinarily payable by working class tenants in the locality. They may grant to any tenant such rebate from rent as they may think fit and before doing so would take account of his economic circumstances.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Is it really correct that local authorities gave favourable consideration to parents with large families after the last war? Could not the subsidy be confined to those who are really in need, so that people with large families would get consideration?

Mr. Brown

I have stated the law on this question, and the hon. Member will see that there is no doubt that families did receive consideration from local authorities.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Is it not the case that local authorities did not house families and that it was done by private enterprise?

Mr. Leach

Is there not an inevitable temptation on local authorities to secure as tenants people who can, first of all, afford to pay the rents?