§ 23. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health whether he will authorise local authorities to release empty houses, now being reserved in case of an emergency, when families who have already been bombed out are in urgent need of housing accommodation.
§ Mr. WillinkIf my hon. Friend is referring to empty houses now reserved for the homeless, local authorities are already authorised to accommodate homeless families in them when the need arises.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that in South-Eastern London, which I know best, there is a great difficulty in finding houses, and the people for whom houses are supposed to be reserved—bombed-out families—cannot get accommodation anywhere?
§ Mr. WillinkThose who are rendered homeless by bombing are always at liberty to apply for the use of a house reserved for that purpose.
§ Sir W. SmithersThey may apply, but they are not granted houses.
§ Mr. ThorneHas the Minister any power, where there are houses for sale and not to let, to compel people to let?
§ Mr. WillinkYes, Sir.