23. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of workers who both by reason of low income and the nature of their work require housing at a reasonable rent in the London area.
§ Mr. BrookeThe factors suggested in the Question are so indefinite that I do not think any useful estimate could be based on them.
Mrs. ButlerIs it not completely irresponsible for the Minister to allow private rents to soar, while curtailing council building for general needs, without this vital information? Is he aware that in Wood Green, which is typical, there are far too many, essential low-paid workers chasing too few low-rented homes? What does he intend to do about it, because this is a direct result of his policy?
§ Mr. BrookeThis is not a direct result of my policy. I am quite well aware that there are more people wishing to live in the London area than there is room for. Nevertheless, the kind of estimates for which the hon. Lady asks in her Question would really be of no value, because phrases such as "low income", "reasonable rent" and so forth, are not capable of exact definition.
§ Mr. M. StewartDoes the Minister remember that he is always advising people who have rent difficulties in London that they should move out of London? How can he possibly know whether that is sensible advice unless he has formed some idea of how many people there are who have to live in London?
§ Mr. BrookeI should have thought that it would be extremely helpful to 1055 those people who have to live in London if I advised those who need not to move out.