§ 15. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many improvement grants for installing bathrooms and other amenities have been made in the last twelve months; of this total, how many were for owner-occupied houses and how many for those owned by private landlords; and how many were made since landlords were allowed to increase their rents by a further 4½ per cent. of their share of the cost, on 25th November, 1961.
Dr. Hill120,965 grants of all kinds were approved in the twelve months ending 31st March, 1962. 58,196 of these were for owner-occupied dwellings, 24,687 for privately rented dwellings. Between 1st December, 1961, and 31st March, 1962, 31,342 grants of all kinds were approved, of which 12,937 were for owner-occupied and 7,073 for privately rented dwellings.
§ Mr. AllaunIs not that a shocking record of failure? Is not the Minister now admitting that only 7,000 landlords have bothered to take advantage of these new and increasingly generous grants? 806 Is he aware that because of this many local authorities are convinced that only compulsory measures will force the landlords to take advantage of the extremely generous Government grants—as opposed to owner-occupiers, who are sensibly making use of them?
Dr. HillAs the hon. Member will appreciate, the 7,000 figure refers to a four months' period. I am not satisfied with the position, but it is some comfort to know that in the last four months the ratio of grants in respect of landlords' property to privately owned property has risen from 30 per cent. to 35 per cent. I do not pretend to be satisfied with the position, and I am considering other ways of securing a greater number of improvements and more conversions.
Mrs. SlaterCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what other ways he is considering? This problem has existed for several years, and it is essential that landlords should improve their properties if these houses are to be preserved and prevented from becoming slums.
Dr. HillOne of the other ways I am considering is to advise local authorities to take selected areas and, through a concerted campaign, to seek to secure that the necessary improvements are carried out. It is no use speaking of compulsion, when many tenants do not wish to give up, say, a room for a bathroom, or do not wish to pay the additional rent. The resistances are not all on one side.
§ Mr. AllaunPersuasion and publicity in a concentrated form may be useful, but experience has shown that something more is needed. Although we had 11,000 people visiting three houses in Salford in a period of three weeks, only seven landlords in the whole city decided to take advantage of it.
Dr. HillThe hon. Member must not forget the measure of success that has been achieved in the increase from 30,000 to 120,000 over the last three years. But I do not pretend to be satisfied with the number of improvements and conversions, bearing in mind the large mass of older property which exists.