HC Deb 20 March 1951 vol 485 cc2273-4
4. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he will grant additional building licences to bomb-damaged cities in order to speed up their building programmes and bring these cities in line with other cities that suffered no war damage.

Mr. Dalton

In blitzed cities, I must keep a balance between new housing and the rebuilding of banks, offices and shops in the central areas.

Brigadier Clarke

Does the Minister realise that his predecessor on 30th November said he was willing to consider any applications for additional licences for private building in bomb-damaged cities?

Mr. Dalton

I said before that I will consider any applications where it can be shown that the total allocation can be beaten by the authority concerned. If any authority can show that they can do better than the allocation given, I am always prepared to consider it by putting it on to their total and taking it away from those who cannot do it.

Brigadier Clarke

Is the Minister aware that we have a large number of unemployed in Portsmouth, and we could do with that extra building if the Minister would give us the licences?

Mr. Dalton

I say to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, as I have said to other hon. Gentlemen who have approached me on this matter, that if they can produce the evidence that more can be done, I shall very sympathetically consider it,

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