§ 15. Mrs. Jean Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what period of notice a local authority desirous of requisitioning a house must serve on the owner; and what period of time must elapse after the serving of the notice before the house can be let by the local authority.
§ Mr. WoodburnNotices are served on owners without prior notification, and a period of 14 days is allowed in which owners and occupiers may submit representations. Normally, occupation takes place within a month of the date of the original notice, but this may be later where works of adaptation are necessary.
§ Mrs. MannIs my right hon. Friend aware that local authorities have widely divergent views on what constitutes a reasonable period; and that in some areas there are scores of houses which have been empty for several weeks while the owners have been trying to get exorbitant prices by sale?
§ Mr. WoodburnPerhaps the hon. Member will give me detailed information, and I will look into it.
§ 16. Mrs. Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were requisitioned and re-let by local authorities in Scotland during 1946 and 1947.
§ Mr. WoodburnThe number of houses requisitioned in Scotland during 1946 and 1947 was 1,474, providing accommodation for 2,111 families.
§ Mrs. MannOwing to the need for further discusion on this very important subject, I give my right hon. Friend notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment a week tonight.