HC Deb 20 January 1953 vol 510 cc30-2
53. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to deal with the growing number of houses in the London area and elsewhere that are falling into disrepair and becoming uninhabitable.

Mr. Marples

This is one of the many housing problems that my right hon. Friend has under consideration.

Mr. Fletcher

Will the Minister say whether it is recognised that this continuous disrepair of houses is seriously aggravating the housing problem? Are we to understand that the Government have no plans to deal with it?

Mr. Marples

My right hon. Friend recognises that it is a serious problem. I cannot add to the answer I have given except to say that it is closely bound up with other problems which require much thought and consideration in order to find a solution. If the hon. Member has any constructive suggestion to offer, I am sure my right hon. Friend will consider it along with the other suggestions he is considering.

Mr. Bevan

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in 1948 we saw the largest number of houses built under a Labour Government? [Interruption.] Hon. Members would be well advised to wait. There was spent on new housing £554.9 million and on repairs to houses £636.4 million, and in 1952 there was spent on new houses £808 million and £663 million on repairs. Therefore the new houses are at the expense of repairs.

Mr. Marples

The right hon. Member is giving information and not asking a question.

Mr. Bevan

Will the hon. Gentleman answer? Is it not a fact that far more money was being spent on repairs when the late Government were conducting their housing programme and that now his Government are building new houses at the expense of the dereliction of existing houses?

Mr. Marples

I would not accept that conclusion for a moment, because under the Administration of the right hon. Member there was not really good value for money.

Mr. Wade

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that it is not only in the London area that many houses are falling into disrepair and becoming uninhabitable? Do I understand from his previous reply that he has no precise proposals in mind at all?

Mr. Marples

I said my right bon. Friend is considering the question over the nation as a whole and not merely in London. It is a national problem and one which requires serious consideration.