§ 6. Mr. George Wardasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the housing shortage in Droitwich is being gravely aggravated by the families of repatriated soldiers who are discharged from No. 15, Families Camp, Norbury House, and seek other accommodation in the town; and what steps he is taking to assist the local authority in this matter.
§ Mr. StracheyThe shortage of accommodation for the families of serving soldiers makes it impossible for my Department to accept any part of the responsibility for housing ex-soldiers and their families. But if there is anything which we can properly do to help local authorities, we will do it.
§ Mr. WardIs the Minister aware that Section 21 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, does not apply because the need in these cases should reasonably have been foreseen, and that therefore the local authority cannot be held responsible? Will the Minister consult with the Minister of Health to see whether the allocation of houses in the Droitwich area cannot be increased to meet this extra need?
§ Mr. StracheyIt is by action along these lines that we can in some cases meet the situation, and we shall certainly try to do so in this case.