HC Deb 17 July 1956 vol 556 c1031
41. Mr. Peyton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what guidance he has given to local planning authorities on the subject of prefabricated houses sold by local authorities for re-erection for agricultural or other purposes.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. J. Enoch Powell)

My right hon. Friend has so far given no guidance on this matter; but he is considering doing so.

Mr. Peyton

Will my hon. Friend do his best to inject some sense into the quite ludicrous situation which has arisen in Somerset, where the local housing authorities are, quite properly, trying to sell these houses, and the local planning authority, the county council, has issued a warning that, in the event of such sales, it is most unlikely that planning permission will be given for their re-erection? Does not my hon. Friend consider this to be quite absurd?

Mr. Powell

This is a matter for every local planning authority to consider in each particular case whether the re-erection of one of these dwellings would be appropriate.