HC Deb 01 April 1958 vol 585 cc1009-10
33. Mr. A. Evans

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the estimated number of houses of £100 or less rateable value now empty in the County of London.

Mr. H. Brooke

I have no estimate of this, and see no value in attempting to make one.

Mr. Evans

Does the Minister appreciate that his very vague reply seems very unsatisfactory to many of us, and is he satisfied that his information is sufficient for him to deal with any difficulty which might arise in October?

Mr. Brooke

What the hon. Gentleman asks me is the number of houses empty now. It is six months until October.

34. Mr. A. Evans

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the estimated amount of housing accommodation now under-occupied in the County of London, and in England and Wales, respectively.

Mr. H. Brooke

There is no comprehensive information later than the 1951 Census. Then there were 2½ million households in England and Wales with more than two rooms per person, and 127,000 of these households were in the County of London.

Mr. Evans

Is the Minister aware that his calculation based upon pre-war figures is now out of date? Does he appreciate that the people generally are not satisfied today with the kind of housing accommodation that they had to endure before the war?

Mr. Brooke

My figures were based on 1951.

35. Mr. A. Evans

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is satisfied that his powers under Section 79 of the Housing Act, 1957, to allow more than the permitted number of persons to use a dwelling-house for sleeping, can be operated with speed sufficient to meet any forseeable emergency; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. H. Brooke

I do not consider that any such action will be necessary.

Mr. Evans

If the Minister requires to operate this Section during the Long Recess, what will be his position, remembering that he has to get the consent of Parliament to operate it?

Mr. Brooke

That is a hypothetical question.