§ 39. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there are still 2,263 unoccupied houses and flats in Kensington, and 1,712 in Paddington, excluding uninhabitable war-damaged properties; and will he give a detailed analysis why they are not occupied and take steps to insist that the local authorities concerned shall requisition them forthwith and let them to families in need of accommodation.
§ Mr. BevanA detailed analysis why some 4,000 houses in two London boroughs are not occupied would involve an unreasonable amount of labour. In many cases these unoccupied houses are in a state of very poor repair and substantial work needs to be done. Requisi- 2096 tioning is proceeding as rapidly as the local authorities are able to carry out the necessary repairs and adaptations.