§ 22. Mr. Lindgrenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the decline in the provision of houses for general need by local authorities, what action he proposes to take to relieve the hardship arising to those families now on local authority housing waiting lists.
§ Mr. SandysIt is true that local authorities are likely to build a larger number of houses than hitherto for slum clearance, and that this may result in their building fewer for general needs. But I am confident that they will maintain a fair balance between families living in slums and others on the housing lists.
§ Mr. LindgrenWhile not entering into a discussion about dealing with slums and general housing needs, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that local authority slum clearance varies from one end of the country to another? Many authorities have no slums, and in those areas, because of interest rates, local authorities are refusing to, or cannot, proceed with further schemes. Is he not prepared to deal with the problem?
§ Mr. SandysSo far I have received no evidence to show that local authorities in areas where there is an acute housing shortage are, for financial reasons, cutting their house building programmes.
§ Mr. LindgrenThe right hon. Gentleman is making an inquiry into the question of houses for old people. Will he at the same time make an inquiry into general housing needs? In my limited experience, in my own constituency and the suburbs of London, there are many local authorities which have refused to go on with further contracts when present contracts are completed.
§ Mr. SandysI should be glad to have particulars of individual cases from the hon. Member. All I can say is that so far as the country as a whole is concerned the number of tenders approved during the last quarter was slightly higher than that of a year ago.