§ 40. Captain Stricklandasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to cases in which dwelling-houses have recently been sold at such prices as remove them from the possibility of letting at an economic rent and, in view of the effect of this on the availability of such houses to those needing them as tenants and the possibility of controlling the selling prices within a reasonable limit, he will take the appropriate action.
§ 62. Mr. Vernon Bartlettasked the Minister of Health whether, in order to check the rising prices of houses for sale with vacant possession, he will make it essential for the vendor of a house to obtain from the district valuer a certificate showing the value of the property in March, 1939, and will fix a maximum price by adding a permitted percentage to this 1939 valuation.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink)I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for West Dorset (Major Digby) on 28th September last.
§ Mr. BartlettCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say when the Committee which is now dealing with this matter will have finished its work?
§ Mr. WillinkThere is no Committee dealing with this matter. The relevant Committee dealing with the question of rent control, which is very closely related to this matter, will, I hope, report not later than February.
§ Mr. KeelingIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is a very serious matter in Greater London, part of which he himself represents?
§ Mr. WillinkI am aware that it is a difficult matter, but I could not possibly deal with it until I have had a report from the Rent Control Committee, on which a very considerable number of hon. Members of this House are serving.
Mr. Graham WhiteHas the right hon. Gentleman any statistical record regarding the volume of these houses, because it is a very burning question indeed throughout the North of England?
§ Mr. WillinkI have a considerable amount of evidence, but I would not like to call it a statistical record.