HC Deb 01 May 1951 vol 487 cc990-1
33. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he will restore to local authorities the general power to requisition empty properties for re-housing purposes without his previous sanction in each individual case.

Mr. Dalton

No, Sir.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the Minister aware that there are quite a number of houses in Lambeth and in many other parts of London which are for sale but have curtains still in the windows to make it appear that they are still occupied? Is he further aware that general powers of requisition would much more speedily relieve the housing shortages than the slower method of compulsory purchase of individual properties?

Mr. Dalton

At present authorities have to get the permission of my Department in order to requisition. It is a very proper regulation in my view, because it costs a lot to requisition property. I am always prepared to consider cases on their merits.

Mr. Gibson

May I ask the Minister, particularly in view of the last part of his answer to my hon. and gallant Friend, whether he is prepared to hold a conference with the local authorities with a view to an examination of this problem, especially from the point of view of whether too much is not being paid in compensation rents?

Mr. Dalton

I am always glad to meet representatives of the local authorities on matters of this kind. The point is that the cost of requisitioning falls totally on the Treasury and not at all on the local authority.

Brigadier Clarke

Is the Minister aware that many prospective Socialist councillors are trying to pretend that it is the fault of the Conservatives that houses cannot be requisitioned?

Mr. Dalton

I should not think so.

Mrs. Jean Mann

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is great concern throughout the country because of the inability to get vacant houses for letting, and because all of them are being offered for sale at extortionate prices? Can he suggest a remedy for this?

Mr. Dalton

I am quite conscious of the difficulty.

Brigadier Medlicott

Is not the real solution to allow more houses to be built by private enterprise?

Mr. Dalton

That has no bearing whatever on the Question.

Mrs. Braddock

Is my right hon. Friend aware that local authorities are loath to offer small houses to people who are living at the moment in large houses because those houses are immediately sold when they are vacated, and the lists of the local authorities are not reduced at all because of that position?