HC Deb 27 November 1951 vol 494 cc1106-7
35. Mr. David Weitzman

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that there are many people in London in need of housing accommodation who, through no fault of their own, do not possess the necessary qualifications to enable them to be put on the housing lists of their borough or the London County Council; and whether he will set up a central organisation to examine such claims and to secure that proper cases are rehoused as quickly as possible.

Mr. H. Macmillan

The Housing Acts give the local authorities the duty and the right to select the tenants of their houses. In exercising this right they already have the guidance given in the report of the Central Housing Advisory Committee published in 1949. I am very willing to consider any workable suggestion to deal with hard cases.

Mr. Weitzman

Does the Minister realise that there are cases—about some of which I have written to him—of families who have returned from Abadan and Korea and are living in very difficult circumstances? Will he take some action to help these people?

Mr. Macmillan

I realise the difficulties. One cannot be the Member of Parliament for a constituency near London for six years without understanding them, but I am anxious not to upset a well-understood scheme which has worked to the general satisfaction, unless we can introduce into it some element to deal with hard cases without destroying the general scheme.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many cases where families, through no fault of their own, are falling between two or more stools because they cannot fit into any particular area? Is there not a case for some consideration.

Mr. Macmillan

I will look into the matter.

43. Mr. R. W. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if further consideration has been, or will be, given to the need of enabling applicants for housing accommodation to apply outside their own municipal area; and, in view of the large numbers who can never secure adequate accommodation inside their present borough, whether he will consider the advisability of grouping several areas together for rehousing purposes where existing sites are limited or have been fully used.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I hope to introduce legislation to assist town development for the relief of congested areas early in the New Year. This Bill will help to meet the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers.

Mr. Sorensen

Can I take it from that reply that this proposal to amalgamate or associate a number of adjacent authorities for the purpose will be included in that Bill?

Mr. Macmillan

Yes, Sir. I hope and believe that this is a proposal which will command the general support of the House.

Mr. Sparks

Can the Minister say how the increased number of licences for the private building of houses will help those persons in built-up areas where there is no land at all available for housing?

Mr. Macmillan

By developments similar to those to which the hon. Member called my attention.