HC Deb 01 November 1966 vol 735 cc227-8
10. Mr. Allason

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will instruct the New Towns Commission to increase the proportion of houses provided for owner-occupiers.

Mr. Mellish

The Commission is already doing so and my right hon. Friend sees no need for any such instruction.

Mr. Allason

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Commission for new towns did not seem to have heard of his welcome intention of increasing the proportion of owner-occupiers? Does it include the sale to tenants of their existing new town houses? Would he instruct the New Towns Commission to get moving on this, because its present policy is that of go very slow indeed?

Mr. Mellish

I do not know what the hon. Member is complaining about. Our record since we have been in office, both in regard to development corporations and new towns in selling houses, has been much better than that of the previous Government. In the hon. Member's constituency of Hemel Hempstead at Grove Hill, we shall sell at least 100 houses which are to be put up for sale.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Hamilton.

Mr. Allason

I have a letter here——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member has no special privilege in this House. Mr. Hamilton.

Later—

Mr. Speaker

I wish to apologise to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Allason). I realise now that when I called Mr. Hamilton he may have thought that I said Mr. Allason.