HC Deb 01 May 1951 vol 487 cc993-4
42 and 43. Mr. Peter Roberts

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning (1) how many licences for the building of houses have been granted to the City of Sheffield since 23rd October, 1950; and what is the annual rate of licences for the city at the moment;

(2) whether he will now issue sufficient licences for housebuilding to the City of Sheffield to enable the rate of building to be stepped up to 2,500 houses per year.

Mr. Dalton

Five hundred and nine additional houses were allocated to Sheffield since 23rd October last, and the total allocation of 1951 is 1,709. If the Council can convince me that they can build more than this, I will give them a further increase.

Mr. Roberts

Is the Minister aware that these figures are still below the average for the rest of the country, and that the Chairman of the Housing Committee has said that the labour would be available but that the difficulty is that the Ministry are not giving any licences? Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared now to give an extra 500 licences in order that the city can show that it can build these houses? Without these licences, it cannot do so.

Mr. Dalton

In all these cases I try to judge what is the building capacity of the local authority. I have already made an increase to Sheffield by the amount I have stated. I repeat that if they can convince me that they can build more with the existing labour force and keep a balanced programme, I will give them more.

Mr. Roberts

Does that mean that the Minister is prepared to meet representatives of the Council within the next two weeks in order to be convinced on this matter?

Mr. Dalton

I do not think I need meet them again. I met them a little while ago on the whole matter.

Mr. Mulley

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the City of Sheffield's achievement since the war in building houses compares very favourably with that of other large cities, and will he say that if need be, if the city can use its existing licences before the end of the year, it can get more licences from his Department?

Mr. Dalton

The second point is covered by what I have already said. As regards the first part of the question, Sheffield is a much better building authority than some other large cities.