§ 38. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations he has received from the 1011 Easington Rural District Council complaining about its allocation in the construction of houses in its area in the current and following year; and what proposals he has to make to ease the housing difficulty in the Easington Parliamentary division.
§ Mr. BevinsMy right hon. Friend received representations from the Easing-ton Rural District Council that the programme originally suggested to it for this year was too small. After considering these representations my right hon. Friend agreed that its programme should be increased. As a result, it should complete, both this year and next year, about the same number of houses as its average rate of completions over the last three years.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I introduced the deputation from the Easington Rural District Council, that his right hon. Friend sent an official to meet the deputation and that we could make no impression whatever on the official's mind? Is he also aware that the allocation has not been increased and that there appears to be a misunderstanding? In those circumstances, would not it be wise if the Parliamentary Secretary's right hon. Friend gave this matter his personal attention instead of passing it on to an official to deal with?
§ Mr. BevinsNo; I do not think the right hon. Gentleman is quite right. The original figure for which approval was given was for 100 houses to go out to tender this year. The right hon. Gentleman led a deputation from Easington to the Ministry. Following that deputation, the figure was increased to 150, which is not very different from the figure for the last three years.
§ Mr. ShinwellI have been forced to table this Question owing to the absence of the Minister to receive the deputation. I am addressing the right hon. Gentleman, not his Parliamentary Secretary. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Why not? The Question is addressed to the right hon. Gentleman and I want him to give an answer. I am asking a fair question. Will he now give the matter his full attention?
§ Mr. BevinsI can tell the right hon. Gentleman that my right hon. Friend has already given this matter his personal 1012 attention. I want to reassure the right hon. Gentleman on what I have already said. Tender approval for 150 houses has been given, which is not substantially different from the figures for the last three years. In fact, Easington has been generously treated.