HC Deb 25 October 1955 vol 545 cc12-3
9. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by the Easington Rural District Council in providing sufficient accommodation for the growing mining population in its area; and what account is taken, in granting permits to build houses, of the effect on coal production if housing accommodation is available for miners who wish to leave adjoining districts, where pits are being worked out, to migrate to more productive areas.

Mr. Sandys

I understand that the Easington Rural District Council has been allocated as many houses as it can reasonably expect to build. However, if there are any special difficulties, I should be glad if the right hon. Gentleman would send me particulars.

Mr. Shinwell

Have I not been frequently in touch with the right hon. Gentleman's Department about the shortage of houses in this area? Is he aware that if this council were granted permission to build more houses it would absorb the available capacity? Does not the shortage of houses in this flourishing mining area call for full production, and will not the right hon. Gentleman look at this matter again?

Mr. Sandys

I do not think that the right hon. Gentleman is in such close touch with the housing position of the Rural District Council of Easington as, perhaps, he should be. Apparently he is not aware that as a result of representations which he was good enough to make to my Department an increase in the allocation of the number of houses to the rural district council has been granted.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the Minister aware that I am so well acquainted with the matter that I know that when we applied, not very long ago, to his Department for an allocation of 100 houses only 50 were granted, and that I even had great difficulty in persuading him to agree to four agricultural cottages being built. In view of the attack which he has made on me, does he know that every day—or almost every day—I receive communications from people in the area about the shortage of houses?

Mr. Sandys

Having regard to circumstances before the war, which I recollect, I am surprised that the right hon. Gentleman, of all hon. Members in this House, should describe the gentle words I used as an attack. According to my information, the council is likely to build about 150 houses this year, which is appreciably above the average which it has completed in the last few years.