12. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the total number of houses in England and Wales under requisition when the Requisitioned Houses and Housing (Amendment) Act was introduced in I955, and the number of these still under requisition on 30th September, 1958.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe number of dwellings, i.e., houses and flats, held under requisition at 6th June, 1955, was 89,539: at 30th September, 1958, it was 3I,573.
Mrs. ButlerCan the right hon. Gentleman say what provision he has in mind for dealing with the residue of properties which will almost certainly still be under requisition on 31st March, 1960, in the London area, despite the very strenuous efforts which local authorities are making to derequisition them?
§ Mr. BrookeI am not prepared to accept the hon. Lady's words, "almost certainly". If local authorities take this matter seriously, as the great majority are doing, they will be able to comply with the law by 31st March, I960. I know that the hon. Lady's own borough council has received approval to buy 75 properties to house licensees. I understand that the council has bought I4 of them so far.