HC Deb 16 February 1972 vol 831 cc414-6
40. Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many London borough councils have refused to co-operate in the proposed London house improvement campaign.

Mr. Channon

One, Sir.

Mr. Finsberg

Would my hon. Friend confirm that it is the reactionary Socialist Borough of Camden which is not only refusing to co-operate in this type of scheme but is obstructing housing associations and welshing on offers to sell council houses to its tenants?

Mr. Channon

I can confirm that it is the Borough of Camden which is refusing to co-operate. I am sure that the whole House will regret this.

Mr. Stallard

Is the Minister aware that this is a totally unsatisfactory position—[Interruption.] What a load of rubbish hon. Members opposite are. This very serious situation in Camden is being dealt with in this form by a planted Question and an answer already rigged by the Minister—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—which hides the fact that Camden has probably done more improvements than any other borough in the country and the fact that the council, which was led by the hon. Member for Hampstead (Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg), who raised the Question—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] I am asking whether the Minister is aware that the council which was led by his hon. Friend tried to use improvements to tat up and bodge up property which should have been demolished. Is he also aware—

Hon. Members

Too long.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think the Minister must answer the question so far.

Mr. Channon

I entirely repudiate what the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. Stallard) said in the early part of his question. I have had the opportunity of discussing the whole housing situation in Camden earlier this week. I had very useful discussions but I regret that I did not persuade the council to take part in the improvement campaign.

Mr. Crosland

Is it not a fact that Camden had a very much better housing record under Labour than under Con- servative control? Will the Minister confirm what was said in another place yesterday, that discussions are going on of a highly constructive kind?

Mr. Channon

They are of a highly constructive kind, but I regret very much that the council is unable to take part in the campaign.

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