HC Deb 29 July 1943 vol 391 cc1776-9
62. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give power to local authorities to requisition empty houses for war workers or ex-Service men discharged for wounds or sickness in areas where there is an unsatisfied demand for houses?

Mr. E. Brown

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement, of which I am sending him a copy, which I made in the House last week on the decisions taken by the Government on the Report made to me by a conference of representatives of the associations of local authorities and of the London County Council.

Mr. Keeling

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Report recommended only that these requisitioned houses should be available for war workers? Is it not fair that men who are discharged from the Services should also be eligible for them?

Mr. Brown

It is much wider than the hon. Member suggests. In view of the present situation the Government have authorised me to delegate to local authorities power to requisition empty houses for the purpose of improving the conditions of any families which are at present inadequately housed.

71. Sir Reginald Blair

asked the Minister of Health whether it is still necessary to maintain so large a quota of empty houses in the Greater London area available for potential homeless persons; and whether he will consider giving directions to local authorities to make a substantial reduction of the existing quota in order to render available more accommodation for hardship cases which are not within the categories of homeless or transferred war workers?

Mr. Brown

This matter has recently been reviewed by the Special Commissioner for the Homeless in the London region, in consultation with my Department. Any further substantial reduction in the amount of accommodation reserved for the homeless would not be justified in present circumstances. But local authorities have been asked to substitute, so far as possible, accommodation in large houses for the smaller houses now held in reserve, so that more of the smaller houses can be used for cases of hardship. I would also refer to the statement regarding measures which the Government have decided to rake to make additional accommodation available for families inadequately housed which I made in the House on Thursday last and of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Mr. Hammersley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this problem is becoming very acute? Will he make some approach to local authorities to give them some practical help?

Mr. Brown

That is exactly what we have done as the result of months of discussion.

Sir Percy Harris

Does my right hon. Friend realise the effect on people looking for houses who see so many empty houses? Should they be made available when they are so urgently required?

Mr. Brown

That is what we are doing but I must have regard to what is likely to arise, because if there were a heavy raid in any part and there were failure to house the homeless people, those who are now calling for one policy would then call for the opposite.

Mr. Cluse

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that this continued reservation provides an opportunity for profiteering?

Mr. Brown

What I have already referred to represents the Government's policy.

Mr. Driberg

Is it the same policy for Greater London as for provincial towns?

Mr. Brown

It will depend entirely on the advice of those responsible for civil defence in the area.

Mr. Sorensen

When the right hon. Gentleman refers to London, does he mean the Greater London as well?

Mr. Brown

Certainly—the London region.

82. Lieut.-Colonel Dower

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give householders the facilities to repair and market their houses before local authorities may seize them for the same purpose on the grounds of their being empty?

85. Sir Leonard Lyle

asked the Minister of Health whether before the Summer Recess he can state the detailed instructions issued, or to be issued, to local authorities in respect of the requisitioning of empty houses for the purpose of accommodation of persons at present inadequately housed?

Mr. Brown

As the object in mind is to ensure that suitable premises which might otherwise remain unoccupied are made available, I propose to make it clear both in my discussions with local authorities and in the circular which I shall send to them that where requisitioning is being considered in relation to any particular property the intention of the owner or tenant should be ascertained and he should be afforded an opportunity of letting or reoccupation, as the case may be, before requisitioning is applied. Any scheme for repairs will have regard to the desirability of ensuring that an owner who is willing to carry them out himself should be given every opportunity to make his own arrangements.

Lieut.-Colonel Dower

May I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, because so many houses can be put in a state of repair if a more generous view is taken of the £100, which is the present limit that can be expended?

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he encourages the marketing of houses and the repair of these vacant houses there is a grave likelihood that on the Stock Exchange, where plenty of money is available, gambling will take place, as it has already taken place, in small property?

Mr. Brown

That question does not arise here. The Question asks about Government policy in regard to the requisitioning of houses by local authorities.

83. Lieut.-Colonel Dower

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give instructions to local authorities to grant members of His Majesty's Forces vacant possession of their houses at the conclusion of hostilities if seized by such authorities on the grounds of their being empty?

Mr. Brown

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the difficult problem of the release, at the conclusion of hostilities, of requisitioned houses is already receiving careful consideration. It is clear that special arrangements will have to be made in respect of dwellings to which the owner, or the tenant if he has maintained his tenancy, wishes to return.

Lieut.-Colonel Dower

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that large numbers of members of His Majesty's Forces who have been called up and are serving their country have emptied their houses to escape rates and have every intention of returning to them, and that if they return to find somebody else occupying them, they will feel that they have not been treated very well?

Mr. Brown

There are a number of such problems, and I will bear in mind what my hon. and gallant Friend says.