HC Deb 26 June 1956 vol 555 cc249-51
14. Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the continued anomaly confronting thousands of people living in unsatisfactory housing conditions who are, through no fault of their own, unable to gain admittance on to any local authority's housing list, due to the wide variance of application of the priority need and basis; and whether he will now take powers to allocate houses on a national basis.

Mr. Sandys

I am, of course, aware of this problem. None the less, I think it best to leave local authorities to choose their own tenants.

Mr. Lewis

I appreciate that the Minister is aware of the problem, but is he also aware of the problem confronting local authorities? Is he aware that there are in the East End of London thousands of people who have been bombed out three or four times and who cannot get on any housing list at all? Will he not, at least, ask the local authorities where the people are now living, where they were living, or where they hope to live, to help these people by taking them on their housing lists?

Mr. Speaker

I think that that is enough for one supplementary question.

Mr. Lewis

Might I have an answer to my question?

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Lewis, Question No. 15.

Mr. Lewis

Are right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite not now interested in the bombed-out people? They were interested in them during the war? [Interruption.]

Mr. Sandys

Has the hon. Member finished?

Mr. Lewis

No, I have not finished. On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I asked a genuine, sincere supplementary question on behalf of people who have been bombed out, and I expect the Minister to give me an answer.

Mr. Speaker

I have no doubt about the sincerity of the question. I waited for the Minister to answer, but he did not do so, and so I called the next Question.

Mr. Lewis

I resent the jeers of wealthy hon. Members opposite who have three or four houses.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member should not let that bother him. Mr. Lewis, Question No. 15.

31. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further consideration has been given to the problems, respectively, of families urgently needing accommodation who, for technical reasons, cannot be accepted for any local authority housing list and of persons or families who are homeless and need accommodation in half-way homes or similar centres.

Mr. Sandys

Advice on these problems is contained in two reports prepared last year by the Central Housing Advisory Committee. These reports were sent for information to all housing authorities, and I am sending copies to the hon. Member.

Mr. Sorensen

I thank the Minister for so intending. Is he aware that in many parts of the country—hon. Members must be acquainted with this—there are tragic cases of families having to walk the streets, having been evicted from their houses and unable to find accommodation? Does the recommendation he sent to local authorities cover that point?

Mr. Sandys

The advice given is very comprehensive.