HOUSING (PRIVATE BUILDING LICENCES)

HC Deb 02 December 1948 vol 458 cc2165-7

44. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Health what advice he has given to local authorities in connection with the issue of building licences to persons willing and able to erect houses with their own labour and materials; and whether licences granted in such cases count against the local authorities' permitted total of work.

Mr. Bevan

I would refer the hon. Member to Circular 108/48 of which I am sending him a copy. The answer to the last part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir."

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that circular revokes the ruling given by his Department to a constituent of mine on 8th May of this year to the effect that in these circumstances licences should not ordinarily be refused?

Mr. Bevan

I think perhaps it would be best for the hon. Member first to examine the circular. Probably that will answer his question.

Major Legge-Bourke

Does not the Minister realise that the circular to which he has referred has, in fact, resulted in fewer houses being built by private enterprise, and does he not realise that we have a waiting list of people desiring to build houses?

Mr. Bevan

If it is the case that the effect of the circular is to result in fewer houses being built for sale than for letting, the hon. and gallant Gentleman is perfectly correct. That was the object of the circular.

Mr. E. Fletcher

Would the Minister advise the local authorities that, in granting licences, they should not give preference merely to people who live in their own areas, because to do so would inflict hardship on those who live in the Metropolitan area?

Mr. Bevan

It is a hardship when people are living in one place and working in another. I have asked a subcommittee of the Central Housing Advisory Committee to advise me upon this matter.

Mrs. Manning

Will my right hon. Friend take into account the fact that people bought land outside the area in which they live, intending to build their own houses there when they retired and gave up their jobs?

Mr. Bevan

I dare say that there were very many citizens of this country who bought land before the war and who have not been able to build upon it since, and, indeed, will not be able to build upon it so long as there are very large numbers of people in this country who cannot afford to buy a house but must rent one.