HC Deb 27 January 1949 vol 460 cc1099-101
44. Mr. Austin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consult with the Minister of Health regarding preferential allocation of houses to police officers, so that police forces may be brought up to full strength.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

Yes, Sir; I am in frequent consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on this question.

Mr. Austin

As the right hon. Gentleman last week admitted that the shortage of houses was the main obstacle in regard to police recruiting, would he call the attention of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the progressive spirit and undertakings of the Lancashire County Council and Bolton Borough Council in this direction?

Mr. Ede

I should be reluctant to pick out people for special commendation on one nomination only.

Earl Winterton

In view of the fact that this has been constantly pressed upon the right hon. Gentleman from both sides of the House and is not a party political point, and that a number of local authorities show a prejudice against allotting police houses and injure recruiting by so doing, is it not possible to send a circular to all local authorities on the subject?

Mr. Frederic Harris

Does the reply of the Minister mean that he will support any claim put forward to overcome this delay in the London boroughs?

Mr. Ede

In the London boroughs and elsewhere.

Mr. Gibson

Will the Minister take steps to see that there is not any injustice done to families who are waiting for accommodation, and who have been on the list for a long time?

Mr. Ede

I am anxious that there should be no injustice done to anyone. It is essential that houses shall be provided for the police, if people expect to get adequate police protection.

Mr. Lipson

Is the Home Secretary aware that he will get the houses he wants for the police if he will only persuade the Minister of Health to allow such houses to be in addition to the ordinary allocation?

Mr. Ede

There has been a much better allocation of houses for the police to be built by the police authorities this year than hitherto.

Mr. H. Hynd

While fully realising the need of more houses for the police, may I ask the Home Secretary why the police should have first priority in this matter over all other public servants and others?

Mr. Ede

I have not made any claim for first priority. This must be a matter for consideration, but there are some authorities which show a definite hostility to letting houses to the police.

Captain Crowder

May I ask the Home Secretary, in order to avoid any misunderstanding which may occur between the local authorities and the public if priorities are given direct to policemen, if it would not be possible for local authorities to give a certain number of cottages to the Home Office, who would then allocate them to the policemen?

Mr. Ede

There are some cases where the local authority is prepared to allot houses to the chief constable for the use of the police service. Other local authorities object to doing it in that way. It is better for the police if the first method is adopted because it does ensure that if a policeman has to be moved, his house can be taken by his successor.

Major Guy Lloyd

Would it not be better to let the police deal with the Ministry of Health in their own way?

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