§ 39. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further consideration has been given to the hardship of persons urgently needing relief from overcrowding or living in unsuitable conditions who for various reasons still find themselves unable to be placed on the housing list of any local authority.
§ Mr. PowellI am not clear what the hon. Member has in mind. But, if he has any suggestion, my right hon. Friend will certainly consider it sympathetically.
§ Mr. SorensenDo I understand from the hon. Gentleman that he does not know what is in my mind? If so, is he not aware that the matter has been debated in the House more than once? Surely almost every hon. Member knows that there are individuals who cannot get on to any list at all for various reasons. As sympathetic attention was paid to this matter by the Minister's predecessor, will the Minister do the same?
§ Mr. PowellNot only was attention paid to the matter by my right hon. Friend's predecessor, but my right hon. Friend has paid attention to it, and he sent advice on the subject to local authorities a year ago.
§ Mr. MitchisonIf the hon. Gentleman wants a suggestion, I would ask whether it would not help the hard cases if the subsidy on rebuilding to meet overcrowding were restored to the figure from which it was recently reduced.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in London alone there are nearly 50,000 families needing housing accommodation whose cases are regarded as of extreme urgency? Will he help local authorities to get more sites in and around London so that accommodation can be provided, because at the moment very little can be done?
§ Mr. PowellI was not aware that the subject of sites arose on this Question.
§ Mr. SorensenIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible opportunity.