§ 13. Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered relieving local authorities from the burden of 2183 having to pay for mineral rights when choosing housing sites, where no other sites are available, in or about mining villages.
§ Mr. BevanSuch costs are among the many considerations which will have to be borne in mind in settling the terms and conditions of post-war housing subsidy.
§ Mr. LeslieWould the Minister reconsider the granting of a supplementary subsidy, because this is a worry to local authorities?
§ Mr. BevanI quite appreciate the point, and, as I have said in my reply, full weight will be given to this matter in considering the subsidies for these areas.
§ Mr. BlytonWould tine right hon. Gentleman consult the Ministry of Fuel and Power with a view to erecting pack walls on long wall faces in the mines to prevent subsidies and not sterilise the land for housing?
§ 39. Sir Wavell Wakefieldasked the Minister of Health if he will state the sites desired to be acquired by Government Depatments or local authorities for housing purposes where there is delay in acquisition and the reason there for.
§ Mr. BevanI am afraid that I could not give an estimate of the number of sites for housing purposes which local authorities have under consideration, but have not yet had approved, without a great deal of work which would not, in my opinion, be justified. I am, however, examining the whole question of speed in procedure in relation to housing.
§ Sir W. WakefieldAre we to understand that there is no delay in the acquisition of land by local authorities for building purposes?
§ Mr. BevanThere are considerable and protracted negotiations going on, which I hope to speed up by another procedure.