§ 14. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health under what authority council housing committees impose standard layouts for the front gardens of council houses.
§ Mr. BevanUnder Section 83 of the Housing Act, 1936, the general management, regulation and control of houses provided by a local authority is vested in the authority.
§ Mr. JannerCannot my right hon. Friend do something about preventing local authorities from making barracks of front gardens? Is he aware that one of the local authorities has stopped people from continuing their work in the gardens because they say there is to be a standard layout?
§ Mr. BevanThere must be a reasonable compromise between the wishes of the tenants of the houses and proper care and maintenance and layout of the estate as a whole. As a general rule, that compromise is reached. There are one or two instances where the local authority does try to regiment rather more than it ought, but I think, on the whole, a satisfactory compromise is reached.
§ Mr. JannerWill my right hon. Friend look into a case if I present it to him?
§ Mr. BevanYes, but I must ask the House not to try to convert the Minister of Health into a tyrant over local authorities.