§ 18. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what assistance his Department will give to local authorities to carry out the measures proposed in Government Circular 17/59, 18th March, to solve the problems of homeless families.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI do not think that any further assistance is necessary on my part to enable local housing authorities to act on the suggestion contained in this circular.
§ Mr. SwinglerDoes the Minister not find it somewhat ironical, to say the least, that he should be sending out a circular to local authorities purporting to advise them on how to prevent families from being evicted and what to do when they are evicted while his Government are responsible for extending the power of eviction and, by high interest charges, are preventing local authorities building more houses? Will he consider some action on the part of the Government to solve the problem of homeless families?
§ Mr. BrookeNo, I do not accept that for one moment. Nor have I had any reaction to that effect from my issuing of the circular last month. I think it a very valuable circular and that it is appreciated by local authorities.