HC Deb 07 December 1950 vol 482 cc517-8
34. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the shortage of accommodation for members of the Police Force, and in view of the fact that the police are a building authority, he will grant licences direct to that authority.

Mr. Bevan

Houses to be erected by a police authority with the approval of the Home Office do not require a licence.

Sir W. Smithers

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in many cases the provision of much needed accommodation for the police has been taken out of the quota of local authorities, which makes their task much more difficult?

Mr. Bevan

It is obvious that if we have a national housing programme we have to share it among the various applicants for houses. Otherwise, every additional application will be an addition to the programme.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that local authorities are not forced to give up any part of their housing programme to the police, and only do so of their own accord?

Mr. Bevan

I think that it will be found that the quota of local authorities is not reduced in this way, and that it is a national allocation.