HC Deb 28 March 1973 vol 853 cc1304-5
32. Mr. Douglas-Mann

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a further statement concerning his policy when considering applications for compulsory purchase orders in housing stress areas.

Mr. Channon

Each case is considered on its merits, but I have no new general statement to make at present.

Mr. Douglas-Mann

Is the Minister pretending to be unaware of the speed at which middle and lower income houses for rent are disappearing in city centres? Will he consider the report of the Colville-Tavistock Study which I have sent to him and which was prepared by the Conservative Kensington and Chelsea Council? Since that report says that unless speedy action is taken by local authorities to acquire such houses as are left in stress areas they will disappear completely, will he take action on this matter?

Mr. Channon

I am studying that report, which is exceedingly valuable, but at the moment I have no general statement to make in addition to previous Government statements.

Mr. Crosland

Does the Minister accept that this is a desperately urgent matter because of the speed at which rented accommodation in parts of London is totally disappearing? Will he accept that he has had on his desk for some time the Layfield Report, which makes a strong central point of trying to persuade the Minister to change his mind about compulsory purchase orders?

Mr. Channon

I am not wholly out of sympathy with what both Members have said. I am considering this as a matter of urgency, but I cannot make a statement today.