HC Deb 14 October 1969 vol 788 cc183-4
15. Mr. Clegg

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what official studies have been undertaken to determine how public sector housing can be made to cater for the needs of those in hardship; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeson

A sub-committee of the Central Housing Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Professor Cullingworth has submitted a report on the purposes, procedures and priorities of council housing. This will be published and sent to local authorities as soon as possible.

Mr. Clegg

Will the Minister, when considering the report, look at the rigidity of the present council house system which leads to much under-occupation which, if cured, could lead to more housing being available to those in dire need?

Mr. Freeson

I have only been made cursorily aware of the contents of the report, having only had 48 hours, but I am sure that the Committee's report on this subject will be wide-ranging. A number of factors are involved. In many instances, the reason for under-occupation is an insufficiency of small units in the communities concerned to which people can move.

Mr. Julius Silverman

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that there is more under-occupation in the private sector than there is in the public sector?

Mr. Freeson

Yes. And my hon. Friend will recall that the Milner Holland Report confirmed this in respect of London, and other statistical exercises show that this is true of the country at large.