HC Deb 25 July 1967 vol 751 cc296-8
9. Mr. Allason

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many empty houses are now available to Londoners in expanded towns; and what additional assistance he is proposing to ensure that these houses are occupied.

61. Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he is giving to local authorities operating a town development scheme with the Greater London Council on the filling of newly built houses now standing empty.

Mr. Mellish

At the end of June, 1,109 houses were available in 22 London expanding towns. Some had been allocated or were being held for incoming workers. Only three towns present difficulties and my right hon. Friend has arranged for the Department to have discussions with the local authorities concerned and with the Board of Trade to ensure a better balance between housing and industry. The action to be taken will depend on the local circumstances in each town.

Mr. Allason

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with his co-ordination with the Board of Trade over this matter? If firms are discouraged from going to expanding towns, the whole purpose of the scheme is nullified.

Mr. Mellish

None of us can be content while houses stand empty, although I prefer that to having no houses at all available for those coming into new towns to work. One of the difficulties is that some of the firms which had decided to move and had obtained licences changed their minds altogether or deferred the move. It is a difficult matter for a new town to co-ordinate all these factors.

Mr. Hill

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that the only way to fill the 150 houses at present standing empty at Thetford and the balance of the 800 now under contract is to enable those who want to leave London for Norfolk to get the appropriate I.D.C. from the Board of Trade? Does not he agree that to delay the issue of these certificates means that the jobs cannot be provided as quickly as the houses?

Mr. Mellish

In Thetford and Haverhill advance factories are being or are about to be built as an inducement to London firms to move. I am not aware that we are having trouble with the Board of Trade, even if there was trouble in the past.

Mr. Lipton

Is it not time to cut red-tape and remove some of the unnecessary difficulties placed in the way of many Londoners who want to move to new towns where empty houses are available for them? Is my hon. Friend aware that I could fill up those 150 houses very quickly?

Mr. Mellish

So could I. Anyone can say such a thing quite glibly, but if there are no jobs ready for those who move, what is Heaven's name is the point of their moving?