§ 12 and 13. Mr. Hayasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether, in view of the urgent need to rehouse the occupants of Field Farm and Hampden Estate hutted camps in Oxfordshire, and the inability of the Bullingdon Rural District Council to construct sufficient permanent houses for this purpose until approval of the redevelopment plan for Field Farm is given, he will expedite his authorisation to the county council to grant planning permission for this scheme;
(2) whether he is aware of the unhealthy and unsatisfactory living conditions which exist at Field Farm and Hampden Estate hutted camps, Oxfordshire; and what action he is taking to expedite the rehousing of the occupants.
§ Mr. DeedesMy right hon. Friend is arranging for the alternatives mentioned in his reply to my hon. Friend's question of 22nd February to be discussed with the local authorities.In the meantime I understand that the rural district council plans to start rehousing the occupants of the camps this year by building 100 houses in other parts of its district.
§ Mr. HayDoes the hon. Member realise that the conditions in this camp are quite appalling, and that the allocation made, while very welcome, is not enough to enable this local authority to rehouse the people in these two hutted camps? Will he give the most urgent consideration to approving this scheme as soon as he possibly can?
§ Mr. DeedesYes. I have studied the particulars of this case, and I have sympathy with my hon. Friend.It is felt that the Oxford City Council could help in this matter, and it is proposed to discuss it with that council and with the Bullingdon Rural District Council.