§ 41. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate has been made of the number of persons in Essex who are now living in temporary accommodation or half-way houses provided by local authorities owing to eviction or other causes; and what consultations his Department has had with those local authorities in respect of co-ordinating that aspect of the housing problem.
§ Mr. BrookeThis is a Question affecting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health as well as myself. I have consulted him, and the latest figures show 274 persons temporarily in accommodation in county premises, and 383 persons in half-way houses set up by housing authorities in Essex. Consultations with the local authorities have not taken place.
§ Mr. SorensenCould not the Minister initiate conversations or consultations, in view of the fact that these 270-odd families are living in deplorable conditions, and could not something be done to provide better accommodation than anything which they have now?
§ Mr. BrookeSo far as the 274 persons are concerned, perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put questions to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who is the Minister responsible. The number of people in half-way houses shows a very considerable reduction compared with a year ago.