§ Q4. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Prime Minister what reply he has sent to the Cardiff Corporation's request that he should receive a deputation from them to discuss hardship arising out of the Housing Act, 1957.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Cardiff City Council asked me to receive a deputation to discuss the possible hardship arising from a slum clearance order submitted to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government by the council. I understand that this order will shortly be the subject of a public inquiry, and I have told the city council that I do not think that it would be appropriate for the issue of hardship to be discussed while this matter is sub judice.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Prime Minister aware that the local authority wishes to discuss the issues that arise, not out of possible hardship but out of real and practical hardship, as a consequence of the Housing Act, 1957? Since Government policy is involved here, would he give further consideration to this question, so that local authorities, other than 1483 Cardiff, which have already experienced difficulties under this Act, may know where they stand?
§ The Prime MinisterI quite understand that, but I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree that while I am always ready to receive deputations—and do see a great many—in this case, since it is attached to a particular problem now to be inquired into under the procedures of public inquiry, it would not really be right for me to involve myself at this stage.