§ 29. Mr. Brooksasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will issue a circular to local authorities to meet their housing density requirements on the basis of low-rise, rather than high-rise development.
§ Mr. MellishCircular No. 36/67, issued on 25th April, asked local authorities and local planning authorities to reappraise their policies for housing densities and layouts where these appear to demand a high proportion of high-rise dwellings. The Circular also required 1408 special justification for housing subsidies at net densities above 165 bedspaces to the acre in conurbations and 120 bed-spaces per acre elsewhere.
§ Mr. BrooksDoes my hon. Friend consider that his reply goes far enough? Are not there serious psychological problems faced by mothers with large families and small children in high blocks? Is it not time to reflect people's requirements and wishes instead of architectural follies?
§ Mr. MellishIf my hon. Friend will read the debates in Committee on the Housing Subsidies Bill he will see that the whole argument about high blocks was then raised. These high blocks are essential in our great towns and cities to deal with the enormous populations, but the Minister has already made it clear, from the form of subsidies we have introduced, that we shall not give subsidies for what we call the prestige blocks.