§ 40. Mr. Storeyasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he is aware that many local authorities are refusing to consider housing applications unless the applicant has resided in the area for periods as long as five years; and whether he will consider advising all such authorities that they should count long-term service in His Majesty's Forces towards such qualifying period, if the applicant is in regular employment in their area.
§ Mr. DaltonI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question by the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Digby) on 17th April, 1951.
§ Mr. StoreyDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it very unfair that men who have served their country for 10 or 20 years in the Forces should, when they have finished their service, have to live up to five years in rooms or lodgings before they can qualify for a house? Will the right hon. Gentleman not advise local authorities to treat service as residence?
§ Mr. DaltonThe answer to which I referred the hon. Gentleman, which I gave to the hon. Member for Dorset, West, was as follows:
I am not in favour of too rigid a residential qualification for applicants for council houses. I hope that local authorities will 1174 give due consideration to the housing needs of ex-Regular officers and men."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 17th April, 1951; Vol. 486, c. 1665.]
§ Mr. StoreyWill the right hon. Gentleman take more definite steps to bring that advice to the notice of local authorities?
§ Mr. DaltonIf I give an answer in Parliament it is brought to the notice of local authorities.