HC Deb 03 July 1951 vol 489 cc2130-1
28. Mr. Edelman

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning what action he will take to prevent profiteering in the resale of houses.

Mr. Dalton

New houses built under licence since the war may not be sold for more than the sum named in the licence. The extension of price control to other houses raises serious administrative difficulties.

Mr. Edelman

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that almost every estate agent in the country is asking swollen prices for pre-war houses which have absolutely no relation to either their cost or their intrinsic value; and will he take action against these profiteers who are increasing inflation and profiteering from the hardship of homeless people?

Mr. Dalton

I have very great sympathy with the point put by my hon. Friend. In 1945 the Morris Committee reported, but it was not possible to take action on their report because, in the view of the Government, there were not sufficient valuers available to value all the houses whose prices would have to be controlled, and the call on the time of valuers is not diminishing just now.

Mr. Shurmer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is not only a question of profiteering in houses, but that, as a result of the withdrawal of the powers of requisitioning by local authorities, these houses stand empty for a long time so that the owners can get the highest bid; and ought we not to re-introduce requisitioning in towns where there are thousands waiting for houses?

Mr. Jennings

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the best way to stop this is for him and his Government to build more houses?

Mrs. Jean Mann

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we have been told about the Morris Committee findings time and again, and that that has been used as an excuse from the Government Front Bench for the last four years; is he further aware that if an examination is made of the Morris Report it will be found that the reason given why it was impracticable to do anything was that the valuers were not demobilised, that they were still in the Army; and is he further aware that many years have since passed, and that now there is no excuse?

Mr. Braine

Would the Minister not agree that one way of dealing with the situation would be to allow more flexibility to local authorities to build houses for owner-occupation?

Mr. Manuel

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this matter is rife in Scotland, where many houses are unoccupied for long periods in order that the owner can get the price he wants; and would he consult with the Secretary of State for Scotland and get some concerted action on this matter, which is assuming very large dimensions in Scotland?

Mr. Dalton

My writ does not run north of the Border, but I shall be very happy to consult with my right hon. Friend.

Forward to