§ 43. Mr. A. Evansasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he is taking to deal with overcrowding in the Metropolis.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe population of Greater London fell by 126,000 between 808 1951 and 1958. The net increase in the number of houses and flats in Greater London in the same period was 204,000. Serious overcrowding of individual houses still exists in some parts of the area, which the housing authorities are tackling in the course of slum clearance and their rehousing operations generally.
§ Mr. EvansDoes the Minister think that a completely satisfactory reply, in view of the serious state of overcrowding in some parts of the Metropolis? May I ask him whether he will recall that eighteen months ago his Parliamentary Secretary agreed, while speaking in the House, that there was a serious over crowding problem, and that his Parliamentary Secretary at that time agreed that it was beyond the powers of local authorities to enforce overcrowding provisions? Will he also recall that the Parliamentary Secretary promised that the right hon. Gentleman would give this matter special consideration? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider especially—
§ Mr. SpeakerHon. Members should not make speeches at Question Time.
§ Mr. BrookeI shall never be satisfied about housing conditions and I have told the hon. Member today that serious overcrowding does exist in some parts of London. Fortunately, the local authorities are tackling their job with a will. The position is vastly better than it was eight years ago, but there is still a very long way to go.