Co-operative Housing

HC Deb 16 April 1957 vol 568 cc1737-8

33. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has considered the chapter on Cooperative Housing in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe publication, European Housing Progress and Policies in 1955 ", and whether he will make a statement on the possible increased development of co-operative housing in this country.

Mr. H. Brooke

Yes, my attention has been drawn to this publication. While the initiative must rest with those wanting to establish co-operative groups, I am prepared to encourage any housing association development of this kind.

Mrs. Butler

Has the Minister noted from the report that co-operative housing in many countries of Western and Northern Europe has increased considerably since the war, that in Norway and Sweden it has doubled, and that this is clearly the result of Government policy in those countries to encourage co-operative housing? Will he take a similar initiative in this country?

Mr. Brooke

I thought that I had given a friendly reply to the original Question. If the hon. Lady will further read that publication, as I have done, she will see it pointed out there that co-operative housing projects have developed more widely in countries which have made less provision for public housing than this country has done.