§ 1. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what general directions he has given to the National Coal Board regarding the occupancy of houses under its ownership.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes the hon. and learned Gentleman realise that the public are bewildered when we tell them that the Minister has no power on these issues of direction? In view of the public interest, will he say whether he thinks that some word should be passed on to the Coal Board concerning the letting of N.C.B. houses; and further, does the hon. and learned Gentleman realise that the Board and local authorities are looked upon as model landlords?
§ Mr. RentonIn answer to the first part of the question, I suggest that the 1022 hon. Member should enlighten his constituents by referring them to the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act. In answer to the second part, I suggest that this is a matter essentially for the managerial responsibility of the Board, and in answer to the third part, I would say that I am sure that the Board and the local authorities do their best to be model landlords.
§ Mr. RobertsIn view of the public interest, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment on the earliest possible occasion.