HC Deb 14 April 1949 vol 463 c3010
6. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Minister of Health if he will now publish a list showing the number of empty houses in each metropolitan borough according to his recent survey.

Mr. Bevan

I have nothing as yet to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 15th March.

Mr. Platts-Mills

When the information is forthcoming, will the right hon. Gentleman use it with the object of again considering the plan for pooling the accommodation in London so that the desperately pressed boroughs, of which Finsbury is typical, may have a chance of access to the increased accommodation in lordly and spacious areas like Maryle bone, Chelsea, and Westminster?

Mr. Bevan

When the information is available, it will be examined and the distribution of the empty houses over the different parts of London will be taken into account. The hon. Member knows that there is in Committee upstairs a Bill which is designed to enable large houses to be converted into flats in order to provide more accommodation.