§ 31. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the number of houses the Easington Rural District Council are permitted to build in Haswell, South Hetton, Thornley, Wheatley Hill and Blackhall in the current year; and to what extent the maximum construction will reduce the waiting list of those who are in need of accommodation.
§ Sir K. JosephThe council has not yet told me how many houses it hopes 21 to put into contract in 1964. Where it builds is, subject to planning permission, a matter for the council.
§ Mr. ShinwellBecause of the long waiting list of people requiring houses in this area, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to institute inquiries to ensure that no obstacles are being placed in the way of the building of these houses, either by the county planning committee or the National Coal Board, in respect of the acquisition of land?
§ Sir K. JosephI will certainly discuss the situation with the authorities, if the right hon. Gentleman will identify his worries more precisely—perhaps in a letter to me.