58. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what consideration he has given to the possibility of allowing local authorities to retain prefabricated houses in good condition on 242 public open space for the temporary rehousing of elderly or disabled persons rendered homeless by the operation of the Rent Act, 1957.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)I do not think that this will be necessary.
Mrs. ButlerDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the Wood Green Council estimates that after it has made every effort to help families threatened with eviction under the Rent Act, there will be up to 100 tenants against whom landlords may be seeking orders for possession next October? In those circumstances, is not it quite wrong that the Council should have to give up 56 perfectly good prefabricated bungalows in 1960, although they would provide ideal accommodation for some of these elderly, homeless families?
§ Mr. BrookeI am sure that the position in Wood Green will, in fact, be better than the hon. Lady now apprehends. In any case, as I think she knows, I have no power to grant an extension for these 56 bungalows on public open space, without fresh legislation.