§ 9. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has studied the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, regarding the concern felt by the residents in the Chapman Road and Chadd Street areas of Plaistow at the delay on the part of his Department in granting the compulsory purchase order and clearance order requested by the West Ham County Borough Council; and whether he will make a statement.
Dr. HillYes, Sir, and my hon. Friend has written to the hon. Member. My decision on the Chadd Street Compulsory Purchase Order was issued last Friday. The Chapman Road Clearance Order raises unusual questions, which I hope to resolve very soon.
§ Mr. LewisI thank the Minister and his Parliamentary Secretary for the letter and for the fact that since the Question was put down the Chadd Street order has been confirmed. Is he aware that the Chapman Road area is the most important one and that in it a number of my constituents are living in the most appalling conditions? Their landlords will not carry out any repairs because they do not know what will happen to the property. This has been going on for a very long time. Will the Minister do his utmost to expedite this order?
Dr. HillYes, I will. There are some technical difficulties here. The method of the clearance order has been used for the purposes of comprehensive redevelopment. Those technical difficulties are holding matters up, but I will do my utmost to expedite the decision.
§ Mr. Elwyn JonesCan the Minister say how long this matter has been under consideration? I believe that the residents concerned happen to be constituents of mine.
§ Mr. LewisMy hon. and learned Friend should know his constituency better. They are constituents of mine.
Dr. HillWhatever the constituency is, the dates are just the same. The inspector's final report for the Chadd Street scheme came to me at the end of April; for the other scheme, in March.