§ 36. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation to debar persons who are professionally interested in the buying, selling or letting of houses from serving on municipal housing committees, in view of the inevitable conflict between their private interests and their public duty.
§ Mr. BevanI think that the safeguard already provided by Section 76 of the Local Government Act, 1933, is an adequate one.
§ Mr. HyndBut is the Minister aware that these committees now have new and additional responsibilities in regard to requisitioning and the issue of building licences, and that the chairman of the housing committee of the council of which I happen to be a member is an estate agent?
§ Mr. BevanIt often happens that that is the case, but I think local authorities generally are careful to see that no improper use is made of their statutory powers in this regard, and I do not think it would be desirable to lay further penalties on councillors.