HC Deb 16 May 1973 vol 856 cc1479-80
1. Mr. Douglas-Mann

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will offer the good offices of the Chairman of the London Housing Action Committee to help to resolve the dispute between the contractors and the Kensington-Chelsea Borough Council which has prevented progress on the major World's End housing development.

The Uader-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Reginald Eyre)

I understand that the council has terminated the contract and is seeking new tenders to complete the work.

Mr. Douglas-Mann

It is good news that steps are at last being taken to ensure a resumption of work on this project which was originally estimated to cost £5½ million and which will provide 742 flats for 2,500 people in one of the worst housing stress areas in the country, but work on the project has been delayed for eight months. Does not the Minister consider it a public scandal that there should have been this delay, and such secrecy on the part of the local authority concerned as to what steps should be taken to resolve the question of the ex- tent to which local ratepayers are likely to be called upon to foot the bill for the excess and for the delay? Will the hon. Gentleman set up an inquiry into the reasons why this has happened. In saying this. I have the—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman may not say things. He may only ask a question. Mr. Eyre.

Mr. Eyre

Like the hon. Member for Kensington, North (Mr. Douglas-Mann) I very much regret the loss of the provision of housing in this area of very great need, but I do not think the hon. Gentleman was fair to the local authority because I think he knows that the disputes in this unhappy matter were referred for consideration to the National Joint Council for the Building Industry. The local authority is to consider the scheme again at a meeting later this month. If it decides to accept a new tender to complete the work, I shall do all I can to help it.

Mr. Worsley

Does my hon. Friend agree that matters such as this—and this one happens to be in my constituency—are delicate issues, involving questions of breach of contract, and that it is unhelpful for Members from other constituencies to interfere and to ask questions? Is he aware that work is likely to restart on this important project in my constituency very shortly?

Mr. Eyre

I agree with my hon. Friend that disputes of this kind are very delicate matters, but the important thing is that work should go on. My Department will do everything possible to help the council to complete the work as soon as possible.