HC Deb 24 March 1953 vol 513 cc635-6
13. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the estimated number of bomb-damaged housing sites in the London Metropolitan area lying vacant.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I regret that I have no information on which even to base an estimate.

Mr. Crouch

Would my right hon. Friend consider it wise to make use of some of the bomb-damaged housing sites in the Metropolitan area for building, which would save going out into the country and taking additional agricultural land?

Mr. Macmillan

I approve of their filling up so far as possible, but I cannot give the hon. Member the information for which he asks, as I have not the statistics.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the Minister aware that many of these small bomb-damaged sites in the London area have become pestilential eyesores, and would he consider giving more power to the local authorities concerned?

Mr. Macmillan

The in-filling is an essential part of the housing programme. One of my first actions on taking office was to consult the London County Council and other authorities about how the in-filling, as well as the building of outside estates, could be properly dealt with as part of the housing programme.

Sir T. Moore

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there are any facilities by which these yawning gaps may be made to appear more palatable to overseas visitors during the present year?