HC Deb 12 May 1971 vol 817 cc369-70
47. Mr. Tebbit

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has received following his communication with selected housing authorities encouraging the formation of housing aid centres; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Channon

Ten local authorities have already set up housing aid centres and I understand that a further 14 have firmly decided to do so.

Mr. Tebbit

Is my hon. Friend aware how much help these centres give? Will he give every encouragement to local authorities to go on with this project? I know how much he is doing, but could he do even more? I am sure that most of us with urban constituencies find that it seems to take an unnecessarily long time before those with the housing problem meet those with the housing solution, and these centres will help greatly in that.

Mr. Channon

I entirely agree. My right hon. Friend is writing to a number of local authorities, asking them to help in this matter. The replies have been very encouraging, and a number of centres run by voluntary associations have done remarkably good work.

Mr. Pavitt

Has the hon. Gentleman received any apology from the London Borough of Brent for not turning up for the discussion which his hon. Friend was to have? Has it given any reason for turning down this idea? Would he do his best to make it change its mind?

Mr. Channon

I believe that the idea of a housing aid centre is suitable for many boroughs, but each borough must decide for itself, and Brent has decided that at the moment it does not want to pursue this idea.