HC Deb 13 December 1955 vol 547 cc987-8
34. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent the London County Council is now co-operating with Essex local authorities in respect both of assisting urgent cases of families needing rehousing but who may not be living within the London County Council boundary, and also in respect of the acquisition of land in Essex for the purpose of providing further housing accommodation.

Mr. Deedes

My right hon. Friend understands that the Essex local authorities are co-operating amongst themselves on both these matters, but that the London County Council is not joined in the discussions.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the Minister do something to try to encourage co-operation between these various bodies, especially in view of the fact that, as I have stated in the middle of the Question, numbers of families need rehousing but are not living within the London County Council boundary and yet cannot find a house in their own area because it is already overbuilt?

Mr. Deedes

I do not think that the London County Council, whose shortage of land is well known, would be in a very good position to assist in this respect.

Mr. Sorensen

Is that not all the more reason to try to get co-operation between the two? The amount of land available in Essex is very limited and a number of bodies are wanting it for this purpose. There are, I believe, a good many restrictions or obstructions advanced by some of the more rural authorities in Essex. Should there not, therefore, be an attempt to obtain co-operation between all the authorities involved?

Mr. Deedes

Perhaps the hon. Member could let me know in a little more detail exactly the proposal he has in mind, and then we will study it.