Improvement Grants

HC Deb 08 November 1960 vol 629 cc817-9

3. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, since only 7,705 private landlords have obtained grants for installing baths, hot water and inside toilets in the last nine months, if he will now introduce amending legislation to permit applications for such improvements to be made by tenants and, where these are approved, to continue the present landlords' grant and contribution.

18. Mr. Owen

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps are being taken to induce landlords to improve their property; and whether he will make a statement.

21. Mrs. Slater

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what proposals he has to encourage landlords to improve their property by taking advantage of the improvement grants.

Mr. H. Brooke

The new measures contained in the House Purchase and Housing Act, 1959, to encourage the improvement of older houses have already produced a marked response from both landlords and owner-occupiers. Between January and September, 1960, private landlords obtained improvement grants for nearly 18,000 houses. With more and more publicity, including practical demonstrations and exhibitions and showing of the film we have made, I believe that improvement work by both landlords and owner-occupiers will continue to expand. I do not propose to amend the law in the way suggested.

Mr. Allaun

Since landlords are compelled under the Public Health Acts to keep their houses in a fit condition, should not these amenities at present lacking in nearly 5 million homes be similarly considered to be minimum conditions, particularly as the landlords are being paid to introduce these amenities?

Mr. Brooke

I know the hon. Member's views, but all these matters were discussed while the House Purchase and Housing Bill was going through, and I am quite sure that we should rest on that Measure because we are getting better and better response to the offers from all concerned.

Mr. Owen

I am afraid that the Minister's optimism as far as landlords are concerned does not apply to Northumberland. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the County of Northumberland there are some 36,000 houses without a bath and 9,000 without water closets, and that the county council has applied the maximum degree of enterprise to induce landlords to do the reasonable thing without any result? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that legislation is now long overdue for the purpose of exercising more pressure upon these people?

Mr. Brooke

I do not think that legislation of that kind would be right, but I will certainly look into the position in Northumberland. Meanwhile, I hope that the hon. Member will use his great influence there to encourage both landlords and owner-occupiers to apply.

Mrs. Slater

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that the Stoke-on-Trent local authority had a demonstration scheme which had a great amount of publicity but that the response which it obtained from landlords was negligible? If the right hon. Gentleman likes to compare the figures, he will find that the response continues to be negligible. What hope has he that the further demonstration that he is planning in Stoke-on-Trent will have any better results than the last one had?

Mr. Brooke

I agree with the hon. Member that the experience in Stoke-on-Trent has been disappointing, but I am hoping to come myself and open the new demonstration, and no doubt that will make a big difference.

Mr. Allaun

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.