HC Deb 23 June 1949 vol 466 cc437-8
35. 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, disclosed by the recent survey undertaken at his recent request.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)

I will, with permission arrange for the figures to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Does that mean that the figures have already been obtained?

Mr. Bevan

It means that they will be published in today's OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures:

Numbers of empty houses in each Metropolitan Borough, as listed by the local authorities.
Battersea 160
Bermondsey 33
Bethnal Green (also an unstated number of semi-obsolete properties) 4
Camberwell 373
Chelsea 41
Deptford 39
Finsbury 153
Fulham 132
Greenwich 260
Hackney 249
Hammersmith Nil
Hampstead 833
Holborn 81
Islington 665
Kensington 235
Lambeth 864
Lewisham 296
Paddington 518
Poplar 563
St. Marylebone 364
St. Pancras 334
Shoreditch 205
Southwark 86
Stepney 300
Stoke Newington 40
Wandsworth 206
Westminster 341
Woolwich 140
Total 7,515

(1) The majority of the houses included in the lists are fit only for demolition.

(2) The Borough Councils are continuing to requisition and adapt those empty houses which are suitable and can be dealt with at reasonable cost.

(3) A number of houses, mainly in Westminster, Kensington and Paddington, are being prepared as half-way houses for over 400 families. This accommodation will be used for families from all parts of London.

(4) I am considering what further use can be made of these empty houses, but it is unlikely that much additional housing accommodation can be obtained.

Back to