§ 72. Sir Reginald Blairasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the number of families without homes due to flying 1133 bomb damage in the Harrow district area; the number on the waiting list for homes for Service men, some already discharged from the Service, in that district; the number of houses of four rooms or less in that district that are now being used for Italians; and what steps he is taking to secure priority in housing for bombed out persons and ex-Service men.
§ Mr. WillinkYes, Sir. With regard to the houses occupied by Italian prisoners of war, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given him yesterday by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Works. As regards the last part of the Question, housing authorities in the London area are at present primarily concerned with securing accommodation for people made homeless by bombing, but, subject to this, the authorities are always sympathetic to the special claims of ex-Service men.
§ Sir R. BlairIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that in some of these smaller houses, of four bedrooms and under, in that area, at present occupied by the Italian Fascists, British troops were billeted two months ago, some of whom, no doubt, have laid down their lives for this country?
§ Mr. WillinkI am aware of the conflict of interests in this matter, but I am seeing that no houses are occupied by Italian prisoners of war except for the purpose of creating more homes in London.