§ 12. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will take steps to give local authorities the discretionary power to makeex gratiapayments in cases of genuine hardship caused to owner-occupiers in clearance areas where it can be proved that they could not have been aware at the time the property was purchased of the intention to seek a clearance order.
§ Sir K, JosephWhere any sanction from me is needed for an ex gratia payment, I am prepared to consider applications from local authorities on their 649 merits. I cannot lay down a general rule, but if the local authority feels that it is itself in some degree responsible for any hardship caused I will certainly look sympathetically at the application. am not persuaded that new legislation is necessary.
§ Mr. ThomasWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that there are very serious cases where the Cardiff City Corporation feels morally concerned and that his reply will be received with great satisfaction in the City?