§ 34. Mr. D. Howellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has considered the difficulties arising to local authorities in dealing with overspill, by virtue of the fact that no powers exist whereby they can exercise the right to place tenants from housing registers into houses from which tenants have been rehoused by the local authority; and whether he is in a position to give the Government policy upon this matter and to introduce legislation to give the local authority powers.
§ Mr. SandysI propose shortly to arrange to meet a deputation from some of the local authorities principally affected, to discuss with them generally the problem of relieving urban congestion. Meanwhile I have no statement to make.
§ Mr. HowellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that statement will be received with some satisfaction by local authorities? Is he aware that the fact that landlords invariably sell rented houses immediately the tenants have died or been rehoused, and that people are thus attracted into areas from which we are trying to overspill, is the greatest obstacle to the solution of the problem of overspill, apart perhaps from the 202 question of land? Will the Minister bear that particularly in mind in the discussions which he intends to have?
§ Mr. SandysI am glad to feel that I have given the hon. Member some satisfaction.