§ 42. Mr. David Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to provide that people will not be debarred from remaining or becoming tenants of council houses on grounds of income.
§ Mr. D. StoddartThat answer was expected, but will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, and advise those of his hon. Friends who have been saying that they will flush out rich tenants of council houses, that that would be an anti-social act? Will he now give an assurance that tenants will not be discriminated against on any ground at all?
§ Mr. AmeryI am not aware that authorities do evict tenants in such circumstances. Councils are generally extremely reluctant to terminate tenancies other than in most exceptional circumstances.
§ Captain W. ElliotDoes my right hon. Friend agree that, originally, council houses were provided for people in the lower income scale, and ought not that to be considered?
§ Mr. MarshWould not the Minister agree that the supplementary question asked by his hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Carshalton (Captain W. Elliot) is typical of a mind deeply embedded in a bygone age? Would he also agree that today no one believes that council estates should be single-class areas which are based purely on lower income groups?
§ Mr. AmeryIt is very agreeable and entertaining to find the right hon. Gentleman advocating subsidy for those who are well off.