Unfit Properties (Compensation) (Hansard, 28 November 1967)

§ 1. Mr. Clegg
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects the current review of the compensation arrangements for unfit property to be completed.

§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. James MacColl)
The review is progressing, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any announcement.

§ Mr. Clegg
While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he can say that if the Report indicates a need for legislation he will ensure that it is brought forward this Session?

§ Mr. MacColl
I think it is unlikely to be in this Session.

§ Mr. Mapp
Will my hon. Friend bear in mind in this review the extreme hardship that falls on the owner-occupier in this field as distinct from the professional owner and that it is in this part of the area that the greatest difficulty arises?

§ Mr. MacColl
This is very much in my right hon. Friend's mind.

§ Mr. Graham Page
Is the Joint Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is a most disappointing answer that we shall not have legislation during this Session? Is he aware that at present houses purchased for £600 or £700 under valuation recently are being taken away from people for £30? How long can it go on?

§ Mr. MacColl
The hon. Gentleman is apparently not aware that we are working under legislation left to us by the last Government. This time wo do not want to get it wrong. We want to be sure that we get the right answer.

§ Mr. Julius Silverman
Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the legislation left over by the last Government is un-satisfactory and does not deal with the pressing anomalies in these matters? Will he also bear in mind the urgency of legislation, and may one express the hope that legislation in relation to unfit property will not be tied to the question of urban reconstruction?

§ Mr. MacColl
I do not think it is possible to look at the problem in isolation from the general problem of what we do with the existing stock of houses, and that is what my right hon. Friend is going into with great care at the moment.