HC Deb 14 March 1967 vol 743 cc206-7
8. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will seek powers to require local authorities to provide an estimate of the number of houses in their areas requiring installation of baths, hot water and inside water closets, and also submit their proposals for dealing with them; and if he will consider taking steps to enable councils to lend property owners the money to cover the owners' half of the cost, where loans are necessary.

Mr. Mellish

Census returns already show for each local authority the numbers of houses that lack these amenities and authorities have powers to make loans to owners to cover their share of the cost of providing them.

Mr. Allaun

Would my hon. Friend agree that the reason that so few councils have so far used the compulsory powers now open to them is the lengthy, cumbersome and involved procedure which they are supposed to follow?

Mr. Mellish

While not accepting the whole of what my hon. Friend has said, I would say that my right hon. Friend agrees that existing legislation has to be changed, and this we hope to do in the very near future. My hon. Friend will be aware of the fact that within the existing legislation, some councils and some owners have done an extremely good job.