HC Deb 04 March 1952 vol 497 cc196-7
22. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities have given private building licences on the maximum permitted basis of one for each house built by the council.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I regret that the information is not available. Time will show.

Mr. Hynd

If the Minister has not got the actual figures, is he aware that, despite the hope he expressed that very few local authorities would adopt the 50–50 basis, some of the more reactionary local authorities, like that of Hornsey, have gone to the limit, and even beyond the limit, because they are now giving the full amount of private licences in anticipation of what they may be able to build as council houses?

Mr. Macmillan

I have not got the information, and will not get it in this form for some time.

25. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what changes he has made in the allocation of building licences for Cardiff as compared with the allocations for 1949, 1950 and 1951.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the issue of licences for the building of new houses by private persons. Allocations of such licences are not made by me, but are determined by the housing authority within the permissible ratio of their housing programme. The numbers of licences issued by the city council in 1949, 1950 and 1951 were 316, 104 and 203, respectively. I understand that the council have still to reach a final decision as to the number of licences they will issue in 1952, but to date they have issued licences for 300 houses.

30. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities have increased the proportion of private building licences; and how many have submitted proposals for the sale of council houses since October, 1951.

Mr. H. Macmillan

As regards the first part of the Question, I regret that the information is not available. Time will show. As regards the second part, a considerable number of local authorities have made inquiries, but I am preparing to issue a circular on this subject shortly.

Mr. Blenkinsop

How can the right hon. Gentleman carry out the undertaking which he gave to maintain the full level of houses to be available for letting if he does not have the full information before him?

Mr. Macmillan

That is another question. This is a question of the sale of houses, on which I said I would issue a Circular.

Mr. Blenkinsop

The first part of the Question asked if there had been any change in the proportion of houses to be sold to the general public on private licence, and that, obviously, must affect the number of houses available for letting.

Mr. Macmillan

I will see how it works out. I think I shall not be far wrong.