§ 34. Mr. Gibsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he is taking to speed up slum clearance in our large towns.
§ Mr. MarplesMy right hon. Friend has told local authorities that they ought now to be turning their attention to slum clearance. It is primarily for each authority to decide the pace of its own operations according to the needs of its area, but he is studying the whole question of unfitness and disrepair with a view to a comprehensive plan in which a renewed slum clearance drive would have a prominent place.
§ Mr. GibsonI am sure the House will be glad to hear what the Minister has said, but does he realise that even the mere carrying out of the law in connection with slum clearance involves work for nearly two years before we can begin to build anything, and are the Government considering speeding up that part of the slum clearance procedure?
§ Mr. MarplesMy right hon. Friend is considering all those points, and if the hon. Gentleman has any specific point, I shall be grateful if he will write to my right hon. Friend.