§ 30. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will assist the Willesden Borough Council to acquire two and a half acres of land in Oman Avenue to build homes to meet the housing shortage in Willesden.
§ Mr.CorfieldMy right hon. Friend and his predecessor refused to confirm compulsory purchase orders made in respect of this land by Willesden Borough Council in 1959, and again in 1962, because they did not consider that the contribution which this small site, would make to the council's housing problem was sufficient to justify depriving owners of land on which they themselves intended to build flats. But he has recently informed the borough council that he would give them loan sanction if they were able to acquire the land by agreement.
§ Mr. PavittDoes the Parliamentary Secretary recall that in my constituency 264 families are separated because of want of accommodation and that 48 of them are in Middlesex County Council hostels? Does he realise that private building will not make any contribution, because there are 5,928 on the waiting list and that Willesden is near enough to London for private houses to be converted to luxury flats? In the light of those facts, will the hon. Gentleman reconsider?
§ Mr. CorfieldThe hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I could not prejudge a further compulsory purchase order if one should come forward. It is relevant to bear in mind that only 2½acres is involved and that the development which All Souls College, Oxford, was carrying out was only interrupted by the war.
§ Mr. PavittThat would house 40 families of the 48 split up.
1124 In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.