HC Deb 07 February 1967 vol 740 cc1337-8
8. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he has now prepared to accelerate the installing of baths, hot water and inside lavatories in houses lacking them, following the publication of "Our Older Houses" by his Department.

58. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to implement the provisions of the Older Houses Order.

Mr. Mellish

My right hon. Friend has asked the local authority interests concerned for their views on this report. He will make a statement after he has had an opportunity to study what they say.

Mr. Allaun

Whilst welcoming that Answer, may I ask whether, in order to overcome the feet-dragging by most private landlords, the Parliamentary Secretary will consider cutting the unduly long procedure required of local authorities, and secondly, providing loans for the small landlords?

Mr. Mellish

We are expecting the preliminary reactions of local authorities by the end of February. I cannot anticipate what my right hon. Friend's decision will be, but some will no doubt require legislation. I assure my hon. Friend that we are as keen as he is to ensure that the whole procedure should be speeded up. Many private landlords are, however, taking advantage of existing legislation, and I wish that some of these other authorities would follow this lead.

Mr. Graham Page

Does the Parliamentary Secretary appreciate that although there have been experiments in this field and improvements over the past few years, neither side of the House thinks that we have the satisfactory solution yet? Can the Minister give any assurance as to when he will bring in new legislation in this matter, because new legislation is necessary?

Mr. Mellish

I accept this, but in matters of this kind we must carry the local authorities with us. That is why this report has gone out. We are hoping for the preliminary reactions some time in February. I hope that in a very short time after that my right hon. Friend will be ready to discuss with them the sort of permanent legislation that he would like to introduce.