§ 17. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government his estimate of the number of houses now standing empty which will become available for letting when the Rent Bill now going through the House becomes law.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI cannot possibly make such an estimate; the Bill will, plainly, increase the willingness of landlords to let.
§ Mr. FernyhoughThe right hon. Gentleman says that he cannot make such an estimate, but during the debate on the Rent Bill (Allocation of Time) Motion he said that there were thousands of such houses. I will quote his words; the right hon. Gentleman said:
at this moment there are thousands of houses which are likely to stand empty longer than they really need. …He went on to say:when the Bill becomes law these empty houses will be let and more accommodation will be released."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 4th February, 1957; Vol. 564, c. 165.]Is it not shocking that he should say that there are thousands of houses and yet have no idea how many thousands?
§ Mr. BrookeOf course there are thousands, many thousands,—[An HON. MEMBER: "How does the Minister know?"]—but I am not prepared to make any accurate estimate. What we do know is that under the existing law there will be houses falling vacant. We know that at present landlords generally seek to sell those houses, and the Bill will make this drastic and salutary change, that in future they will be available for letting.