§ 6. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made by the Government committee appointed to ascertain what steps should be taken to prevent houses falling into disrepair; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation on the subject.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI am not yet in a position to put proposals before the House.
§ Mr. FletcherIs the Minister not aware that this is really a most pressing problem, and can he tell us when he hopes to have some remedy for it?
§ Mr. MacmillanNo Sir.
§ 10. Mr. Benceasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he proposes taking to arrest the increasing dilapidation of privately owned, rented dwelling houses.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI am not in a position to make any statement.
§ Mr. BenceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that thousands of families in this country are living in deplorable conditions because of the refusal of owners of private houses to carry out essential and necessary repairs? Will he and the Government take some action to see that such repairs are carried out?
§ Mr. MacmillanLocal authorities have considerable powers which they are able to, and in fact do, use. I have concentrated on the first part of the housing programme, and I hope that any proposals I have to make on the second part will receive the support of the hon. Gentleman's party.
§ 27. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps to encourage the fuller use of Section 20 of the Housing Act, 1949, to secure improvements to private property.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 10th March.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWould the right hon. Gentleman undertake to re-examine the conditions imposed both by his Ministry and the local authorities, as there are suggestions that these are holding up the work, and will he also take note of the comments made by the Minister of Works?
§ Mr. MacmillanI am looking into all these matters with a view to the possible development of policy, particularly those matters which the hon. Gentleman mentioned, and which he knows well, as to whether the standards required are, perhaps, in this respect somewhat too severe.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs the Minister taking any steps to popularise this scheme, in view of his admission that that was all that was needed?
§ Mr. MacmillanI want first to see if there should be some amendment, as was suggested.