§ 76. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that certain local authorities have decided not to disclose the details 01 the points system by which their houses are allocated to tenants; and since this secrecy can only lead to suspicion on the part of the public, if he will circularise local authorities as to the desirability of giving full information on their letting plans.
§ Mr. BevanI would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 23 of the second report of the House Management Sub-Committee of my Central Housing Advisory Committee and to Circular 176/45 issued to local authorities. Copies of both documents are being sent to him.
§ Mr. ShephardWould not the Minister agree that the public have every right to know where they stand with regard to local authority points schemes, and in those instances where a local authority refuses to disclose its points scheme, can he bring no pressure to bear on it?
§ Mr. BevanThe sub-committee to which I referred recommended that the local authorities should make known the principles on which the tenants are selected, but not the weight they give to particular points.
§ Mr. PiratinIn view of the fact that, as the Minister himself admitted, this is the recommendation of a sub-committee which local authorities have not accepted as a directive, would he issue a circular to confirm the recommendation?
§ Mr. BevanA circular from me would have no more weight than a recommendation. Hon. Members must realise that local authorities are their own bosses in this matter.