§ 23 and 24. Mr. A. J. Irvineasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will give an approximate figure of the number of houses in England and Wales, to the latest convenient date, whose demolition has been postponed by local authorities under the 15 powers conferred upon them by Section 2 (1) of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954;
(2) whether he will give an approximate figure of the number of houses in England and Wales, to the latest convenient date, which local authorities have purchased in lieu of making demolition orders under Section 3 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954.
§ Mr. DeedesThe information asked for is not at present available. Details of the number of unfit houses to be retained in temporary use by local authorities will, however, be published as early as possible next year in a revised form of the Quarterly Housing Return.
§ Mr. IrvineAs this information is not presently available, may I ask whether it is possible for the Minister to say whether the powers conferred by these Sections are being effectively exercised by local authorities? Has any impression been formed one way or another?
§ Mr. DeedesI should not like to generalise on that question without notice.