§ 28. Mr. James Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now introduce legislation to prevent the reletting of houses deemed to be unfit and not closed when local authorities have rehoused existing tenants prior to demolition and clearance.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonThis is one of the matters under consideration for the Bill my right hon. Friend will be introducing this session.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my hon. Friend aware that living accommodation is sometimes built over shops and that, under present legislation, the shops, which are sometimes used as dwelling houses, cannot be condemned? Will he ensure that in the new legislation local authorities will be given power to put a closing order on shops when an area is required for redevelopment?
§ Dr. MabonI should like to think about that a little longer. I should not like at Question Time to give a straight commitment one way or the other. If my hon. Friend will leave it with me, I will discuss it with my right hon. Friend.