HC Deb 11 December 1962 vol 669 cc203-4
Q2. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Minister of Housing and Local Goverment and Minister for Welsh Affairs, at a Press conference at Cardiff on 23rd November, about house ownership represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

At the Press conference referred to, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs made no speech or declaration of policy. He was simply replying to questions about a local problem in the City of Cardiff.

Mr. Thomas

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Minister's remarks to the Press, which were widely reported, indicate that the Government's policy is to ignore the plight of the victims of the 1957 Act whose houses are to be demolished yet who will have to continue paying on mortgages for houses which they have not got? Are we to understand that it is the Government's policy to take no steps to help these people who are plainly the victims of the legislation passed in 1957?

The Prime Minister

I understand that in this particular case, which, I agree, is a very unusual one, the Cardiff City Council granted mortgages on a number of houses which they now propose shall be demolished under slum clearance orders. The clearance orders are still under consideration by my right hon. Friend and, therefore, the matter is still for him to make his decision about.

Mr. Thomas

Will the Prime Minister hold out hope that, when a decision has been taken on these clearance orders, he and the Government will look art the question of protecting people who have to pay under mortgages for houses which no longer exist as a result of an order by a public authority?

The Prime Minister

This whole problem of clearance orders for the purpose of slum clearance has been dealt with on many occasions in legislation by the House. As I have said, this is rather a special case, and I shall certainly be in touch with my right hon. Friend concerning how it can best be dealt with.

Mr. Gaitskell

Would it not be dealt with quite simply by the Cardiff City Council, which made loans on these properties and which now proposes to order their demolition, not requiring those to whom they made the loans to continue with mortgage repayments when the houses have been destroyed?

The Prime Minister

That would certainly be a very satisfactory solution for those who have entered into such agreements.