HC Deb 30 July 1963 vol 682 c225
30. Mr. Mapp

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in his re view of housing subsidies, he will ensure that a significant weighting is given to those areas where the volume of slum clearance exceeds the average proportion of habitable houses.

Sir K. Joseph

Proper weight will of course be given to the size of a local authority's slum clearance problem, but I cannot commit myself in advance to the basis on which this will be done.

Mr. Mapp

Is the Minister aware of the horrifying prospect facing local authorities with a heavy backlog of slum clearance? In his discussions, which I gather will be taking place in the autumn, will he specifically bear in mind the claims for some priority in financial arrangements for these 50 or so authorities, for otherwise the matter could be lost in the general arguments of the A.M.C.?

Sir K. Joseph

One of the main purposes of the review is to enable the authorities with the largest need and biggest problems to plan ahead with confidence.