§ 17. Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaiteasked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation by which tenants of local authorities will be enabled to purchase their houses.
§ 29. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many tenants of council houses would welcome the opportunity of purchasing the house they occupy; and if he will authorise such purchases to be made.
§ Mr. BevanLocal authorities already have power, with my consent, to sell municipal houses. Since 1945, it has been the policy of the Government not to give such consent since it would reduce the number of houses available for letting to those whose needs are greatest at rents which they can afford to pay.
§ Lieut.-Commander BraithwaiteWhile realising that councils do have powers in this matter, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the great interest taken in this proposal during the recent election; and whether he will apply his mind to it again, without prejudice?
§ Mr. BevanI have not the slightest prejudice about this matter, because, as the House is aware, I have raised very largely the limits under which local authorities can lend money for persons to buy houses. What I am not prepared to do is to reduce the pool of houses available for those in most need.
Brigadier MedlieottIs the Minister not aware that the answer does not at all cover the case where the house is sold to the occupying tenant?
§ Mr. BevanThe answer is that some arrangement would have to be made in the event of that occupying tenant becoming a vendor of the house to someone else who needed it.