HC Deb 06 June 1946 vol 423 cc2147-8
38. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Health the number of families rehoused by local authorities as a result of possession orders granted by the courts in the Metropolitan Police district for each month in 1946; and the number of families for whom local authorities had no other accommodation than rest centres and institutions on the date such orders became operative, respectively.

Mr. Key

My right hon. Friend is aware that difficulty is being experienced in such cases, but he has no figures distinguishing families for whom occupation has had to be provided as a result of possession orders granted by the courts, and other families.

Mr. S. Silverman

Can my hon. Friend explain how it comes about that, since these orders can only be made if greater hardship on the landlord is established, orders have been made in cases where the family have no accommodation at all, other than a rest centre provided by the authority?

Mr. George Wallace

Would my hon. Friend look very carefully into this problem, because a very serious situation is developing, which is handicapping local authorities in the development of their housing programme? I would refer him to HANSARD of yesterday's date where he will see figures which will give him great anxiety.

Mr. Key

We are very much concerned about the number of cases that are having to be dealt with in rest centres. We are undertaking an investigation to find out the causes.

Mr. Silverman

Does not my right hon. Friend appreciate what is happening? How can there be greater hardship on a family than to have no home to go to? Ought there not to be some inquiry as to how this is working out?