HC Deb 12 March 1957 vol 566 cc969-70
33. Mr. Logan

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the fact that sites in the Athol Street, Barncourt Street and Boundary Street areas in Liverpool have been lying idle for over ten years, if he will as soon as possible authorise the Liverpool housing authority to build houses there.

Mr. Bevins

Liverpool Corporation has submitted to my right hon. Friend a proposal for using part of this area for housing, although its Development Plan proposed that it should be used for industry. He was awaiting further details, which have just been received, and he will announce his decision as quickly as possible.

Mr. Logan

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this place is lying desolate, and has been for the last ten years? We are just about fed up with the whole situation. We have lost 12,000 to 14,000 people from that area, and the shopkeepers do not know what to do about their businesses. Newsham Hospital, and the adjoining premises which were the workhouse, are now occupied by 86 families. When I went in there three months ago I found a woman with six children, who had been displaced from her home twelve months earlier, living in a workhouse. Are those conditions that we ought to have in the City of Liverpool——

Mr. Speaker

I think that that is about enough for one question.

Mr. Logan

Our people are living under damnable conditions, and I must express my feelings——

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Logan

rose

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is not the time to make a speech——

Mr. Logan

May I finish my supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member must take just as big a ration as others, not more. Mr. Bevins.

Mr. Logan

Can I not express opinions here——

Mr. Speaker

Order. Mr. Bevins.

Mr. Logan

I want to get the Minister to listen——

Mr. Speaker

Order. Mr. Bevins.

Mr. Bevins

I know the district to which the hon. Gentleman refers, although I do not know the details as well as he does——

Mr. Logan

The hon. Gentleman should come to live where I do.

Mr. Bevins

—but I think that in fairness to my right hon. Friend I ought to reiterate that this particular area was zoned in the Liverpool Development Plan for industry and not for housing. In the second place, it was as recently as 11th March that my right hon. Friend received these details——

Mr. Logan

What I want to know is——

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Logan

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I want to know whether the Minister will say——

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is not a point of order.