§ 19. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what statistics he has to show that under-occupation of residential property in London has been reduced following the Rent Act, 1957.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI have no statistics, but the census due to be taken next April will show what the position then is.
§ Mr. LiptonDoes not the Minister recall that one of his principal arguments in favour of the Rent Act was that it would help to ensure the full use of under-occupied premises and in that way make a substantial contribution towards meeting housing needs? Has not experience shown—and the next census will confirm it—that there are no under-occupied premises in many areas of London, including my own, so that this argument has proved to be a fraud and a sham, and that many thousands of people are being condemned to live in sub-human conditions in London for many years to come?
§ Mr. BrookeI think all hon. Members who represent London constituencies may know of cases where under-occupation has ceased in the last two or three years. I put it to the House that the findings of the census will be extremely important for all assessments of housing policy.