§ 11. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities have stated their intention of suspending the building of houses other than for slum clearance; and what is the estimated decline in the provision of new housing accommodation during the coming year.
§ Mr. H. BrookeIn reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my statement in the debate on the Address on 11th November. In reply to the first part, the Answer is: Two.
§ Mr. JegerDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that many local authorities have had to give up house building other than for slum clearance and have had to advise the people on their housing lists, in some cases running into hundreds and even thousands, that they have no hope of getting a council house unless they first go into a slum Is that the housing policy of which he is so proud?
§ Mr. BrookeI think there is hardly any local housing authority which needs to suspend its housing operations, if it has introduced a differential rents scheme.
§ Mr. MitchisonDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that in my constituency alone at least two local authorities have suspended the building of council houses? If he does not know what the position is, ought he not, as Minister of Housing, to find out?
§ Mr. BrookeI know what the position is. Indeed, I am answering a Written Question in detail about it today.