§ 33. Mrs. Braddockasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will ask local authorities who have large slum clearance problems to supply him with a report of all land standing idle in their areas, its ownership, length of time unused, and eventually planned use.
§ Sir K. JosephMy Department's circular 37/60, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Lady, asked planning authorities to inquire into unused land in their areas. In the particular case of the northern towns with severe slum problems, the Northern Housing Office which I have recently set up, will be examining all these matters with the local authorities.
§ Mrs. BraddockYes, but will the Minister see that land which has been standing unused in a disgusting condition in my constituency is visited by some representative of the Ministry and that a full report is prepared and submitted to him about what its possible use will be?
§ Sir K. JosephNo, but I assure the hon. Lady that each site will be considered by my Ministry with the local authority to see that it is put to some use, housing or other.
§ Mrs. BraddockBut how are we going to know—how am I going to know—what land has been looked at, what arrangements are to be made about it, and whether the land which can be used for housing will be tried, and what steps will be taken to speed up housing?
§ Sir K. JosephThe hon. Lady and I share the same purpose, to increase the housing pace in Liverpool. If she cares to discuss this with me in detail I shall be glad to see what I can do to help.