HC Deb 31 January 1961 vol 633 cc764-6
5. Sir Richard Pilkington

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs at what rate slum dwellings are now being replaced.

Mr. Brooke

Final figures for 1960 are not yet available, but I expect they will show that in England and Wales last year about 60,000 houses were demolished or closed, and 160,000 persons rehoused. Subject to minor fluctuations, this has been the rate at which slum clearance and rehousing have gone ahead since 1957, and I hope it will be maintained this year.

Sir Richard Pilkington

Is the Minister aware that both sides of the House would wish to congratulate him very warmly on the progress made?

8. Sir B. Janner

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many local authorities have completed their slum clearance plans; and how many are expected to complete their plans in 1961 and 1962, respectively.

Mr. Brooke

Fourteen authorities have specifically informed me that their slum clearance programme is complete, and many others now have no serious problem left. The progress made by any individual authority can be judged by comparing the estimates tabulated in Command Paper 9593 of 1955 with the latest figures published quarterly in the appendix to the Housing Return. I expect the present rate of clearance to be maintained during 1961.

Sir B. Janner

Is the Minister aware that, quite contrary to the view expressed by his hon. Friend the Member for Poole (Sir Richard Pilkington), both sides of the House are not satisfied with the progress which has been made with slum clearance? Will he take steps to enable the councils to deal effectively with the position by removing some of the present restrictions placed upon them and deal with the situation that has been placed before him by many of the councils?

Mr. Brooke

I certainly know that the only two great slum clearance drives in British history have been under Conservative Governments. I am not aware of what restrictions the hon. Member has in mind. I am never satisfied, but I think there is considerable cause to be gratified that we are demolishing or closing 60,000 slum houses a year.

Mr. M. Stewart

The Minister says that he is not aware of the restrictions referred to. Surely he is aware that a great many councils find two great restrictions? One is the burden of costs, in which the chief factor is interest rates. The other factor is the problem of where to build. That cannot be solved in many places unless the Minister pursues a more vigorous new towns policy.

Mr. Brooke

This Question is concerned with slum clearance, and we have reached this high level of 60,000 houses a year. We have been holding that steadily for some years, and I have no doubt that it will continue for some time to come.