HC Deb 14 February 1963 vol 671 cc1471-2
25. Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what study he has made of the report from Family Service Units on accommodation and rents in the London area; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Sir Keith Joseph)

The report confirms what is well known—namely, that there is not enough cheap rented accommodation in London to go round. The answer lies mainly in the provision of more accommodation by local authorities and that is why I have been encouraging the London County Council and other authorities to increase their stock of dwellings for this purpose.

Mr. Lewis

I thank the Minister for that lengthy reply. Does not this impartial report also show that the Government's attitude, as witnessed by their Rent Act and their subsequent action in having more houses built for sale than for rent and encouraging private house building against local authority house building, is one of the major causes of the difficulties which the Minister mentioned in his reply? Will not he change his policy and give those who need rented accommodation an opportunity to get it?

Sir K. Joseph

No. I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman here, though I freely agree, and have agreed all along, that there is a serious problem for lower rented housing accommodation in London. The fact is that this report shows that there is accommodation to rent but it is at too high a price for the lower family incomes. That I accept. But before the Rent Act there was practically no accommodation to let at any price, because it was all sold.

Mr. Lewis

Are we to take it that the Minister is saying that now there is more rented accommodation available but it is at such exorbitant prices that none of those who need it can afford to have it? What good is that? Will he not do something to bring the rents down so that those who really need accommodation can get it?

Sir K. Joseph

Those who really need relatively cheap accommodation should look to the local authorities, whose stock is going up continuously. However, this is—I do not wish to hide it in any way—a very serious problem on which I have promised to make a statement as soon as I can.

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