§ 15. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Health what changed circumstances have led him to withdraw from clerks to local authorities the requisitioning powers hitherto delegated to them.
§ Mr. BevanI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 1st July following the Question from my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton).
§ Mr. BeswickI have seen that reply, but it does not give the answer I wanted. Is there any evidence that the clerks to local authorities have in the past wrongfully or mischievously used the power which he delegated to them?
§ Mr. BevanThere are cases on this matter before the courts at the moment, and I, therefore, would not wish to be asked to comment upon it.
§ Mr. TiffanyWould it not be better to to leave this power in the hands of clerks to the local authorities, who are aware of the local circumstances; and in any case, has not this power had good effect in seeing that unused accommodation was immediately taken up?
§ Mr. BevanMy hon. Friend need not fear that the powers will not be exercised promptly where they are needed to be exercised. The number of cases in which they are used now is falling very rapidly indeed. However, I must not be asked to comment upon the way in which clerks have used these powers, in view of the cases before the courts.
§ Mr. BeswickWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in certain areas these powers would still be very useful indeed if left with the clerks to the local authorities; and will he, therefore, reconsider the position as far as at any rate certain parts of the country are concerned?
§ Mr. BevanNo; but I will certainly keep my eye on what is happening, and 556 if it is found that this new machinery is too dilatory, then, of course, we shall reconsider it.