Evictions

HC Deb 24 June 1948 vol 452 cc1543-5

24. Mr. Warbey

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to introduce amending legislation to prevent the eviction of persons from cottages solely on the ground that the accommodation is required for the housing of a worker employed on an agricultural holding with which the cottage has no physical connection.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)

This will be a matter for consideration in connection with legislation amending the Rent Restrictions Acts; but there is no early prospect of that.

Mr. Warbey

Is my right hon. Friend aware that whatever may be the merits of tied cottages which are integral parts of farm holdings, a particularly gross injustice is created when new tied cottages are created by the acquisition of house property in neighbouring villages, and that this is a case where human rights are sacrificed to a purely private venture? Will my right hon. Friend look into it and see whether we cannot have special legislation to deal with the matter?

Mr. Bevan

I am aware that there are quite a number of examples of individual hardship, but I am hoping—and I think the facts justify the hope—that the provision of new accommodation will mitigate that hardship.

Mr. Baldwin

Is not the remedy for these imaginary grievances to get on with the building of plenty of cottages in the countryside in order to give the alternative accommodation that is wanted?

Mr. Bevan

I have already answered the first part of the question. We do not believe this is an imaginary grievance. It is a real one, and for the first time in 50 years there is a chance of it being alleviated.

35. Mr. Odey

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. Anderson of Station Road, South Cave, East Yorks., a transport driver with five children, has been served with an eviction order requiring him to vacate his cottage on the 1st July, without the provision of any alternative accommodation; and whether, in order to avoid such hardships which are of frequent occurrence, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent evictions in such cases without the provision of alternative accommodation.

Mr. Bevan

I was not previously aware of these facts, but the Principal Housing Officer is now looking into the possibility of alternative accommodation. Legislation would be required to alter the existing law as contained in the Rent Restrictions Acts, and I can hold out no early prospect of that.

Mr. Odey

As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, this man was turned out of his house to make way for an agricultural worker, and in view of the fact that additional housing is essential for increased agricultural products, will he relax his regulations with regard to private builders so that private builders may make their contribution?

Mr. Bevan

I have yet to be convinced that private builders would build houses for sale to agricultural workers.