HC Deb 24 June 1948 vol 452 cc1553-4
27. Colonel Wheatley

asked the Minister of Health to what extent he has given his approval for the taking over and the making up of private streets by local authorities.

Mr. Bevan

I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for New Forest and Christchurch (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre) on 27th February.

Colonel Wheatley

Will the Minister, in view of the number of roads in most towns which are not yet made up, try to case the position in view of the fact that many of them are full of potholes and in wet weather are almost impassable for children and women too?

Mr. Bevan

This question refers to private streets. If those streets had been made up properly by the owners we would not have the difficulty.

Colonel Wheatley

Does not the Minister realise that many of these roads were made before the war and that the owners have not been able to make them up?

Mr. Bevan

The obligation of maintaining those streets is on the private owner.