§ 2. Mr. Denis Howellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the activities of property owners in Birmingham, whether he will extend the terms of reference of the Milner Holland Committee to enable it to include Birmingham in its investigations.
§ Sir K. JosephNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HowellWhy not?
§ Sir K. JosephBecause the Committee was set up primarily to look comprehensively at the state of housing in London, with the relations between landlord and tenant as only one of the implications of its survey. I hope that the lessons that emerge from London may be applicable to other cities.
§ Mr. HowellIs the Minister aware that apart from the fact that the Birmingham Corporation is taking commendable action against overcrowding, particularly among immigrants, the question of what one would call the normal landlord is virtually going by default in the matter of evictions in Birmingham, and that the problem is just as bad in the Midlands as in London? Will the Minister think again?
§ Sir K. JosephI am not aware of these facts.
§ Mr. HowellThe Minister should be aware of them.
§ Mr. M. StewartIs there any possibility of the Committee extending its work to Birmingham? Is it not important to realise that this kind of problem is not exclusively a London problem?
§ Sir K. JosephCertainly, housing problems a re not exclusive to London. I am sure that the whole House wants to get the Committee's Report as quickly as possible, but if it were now asked to divert its resources to take in Birmingham before completing its report we would have to wait much longer. The interests of all big cities will be best served by getting a thorough report on London as soon as possible.