§ 26. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what consideration he has given to the 400 housing proposals of the Association of Public Health Inspectors, a copy of which has been sent him; and if he will consider implementing, in particular, the section dealing with the installation of baths, hot water and inside toilets in houses lacking them.
§ Mr. CorfieldThese proposals recommend the introduction of a statutory standard for a satisfactory house with powers to enforce the improvement of houses which fall short of the standard.
My right hon. Friend has studied the proposals and will certainly bear them in mind. But houses vary so much in their capacity for improvement that compulsion would not be simple either to provide for or to administer. In any case it would need legislation. As far as the immediate future is concerned, my right hon. Friend intends to do everything he can to get improvements by agreement.
§ Mr. AllaunDoes the Parliamentary Secretary agree that while the Leeds scheme, which I believe he has in mind, for improvement area grants is a good one, nevertheless it takes up to three years to obtain compulsory purchase orders where landlords fail to play their part and it excludes vast numbers of individual houses equally requiring improvement? Would he look again at the health inspectors' scheme?
Mr. CorfildWe are looking at this scheme and many others. We are very anxious to see progress in this matter.