HL Deb 18 July 1988 vol 499 cc1056-8

2.46 p.m.

Lord Dean of Beswick asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of the circumstances under which over 450 families at present living in council housing will be moved from their homes in Tower Hamlets to make way for a new docklands highway, to serve Canary Wharf.

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, yes. Some 450 families living in sub-standard flats will be moved to better quality accommodation. In addition, 200 council homes will be refurbished. The cost of all this will be met by the London Docklands Development Corporation. We welcome this example of co-operation between the corporation and the local council.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, I have no desire to stand in the way of redevelopment either in London docklands or in other urban development areas. However, I noted that the Minister referred to consultations with the local authority in the final part of his Answer. The local authority does not necessarily represent the views of the tenants who are being moved. Will the Minister ensure, in order that good will remains, that wherever large groups of families are being moved in this way the utmost consultation will take place with the tenants and not just with the local authority?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I note with considerable interest the emphasis that the noble Lord is putting on consultation with tenants rather than necessarily with the local authorities. I hope that we all bear that in mind in the Housing Bill. But of course there will be consultation with the tenants.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, is it right that there were consultations with the tenants, the tenants' association, the local authority and the London Docklands Development Corporation, and that there was a concordat? The trouble now arises because a section of the tenants do not agree with the move. In a democracy we always have minorities. Can the Minister confirm that those bodies were consulted and agreement was reached?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I understand that there was indeed very wide consultation with all those who would he affected, the local authority and the tenants, by the development corporation. This is an example where co-operation will be to the benefit of the tenants and indeed to all the community, because in addition there is a £30 million social project.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, if consultation took place with the tenants, can the Minister tell us what has been done for those tenants who objected very strongly to being moved?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, as the noble Lord will know, at the moment there are heads of agreement. They are not legally binding and the final details are being worked out.

Lord Swinfen

My Lords, of the 250 dwellings to be refurbished, can the Minister tell us how many are to be refurbished and made suitable for physically disabled people?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I do not know.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, the Minister referred to heads of agreement being worked out. Does that indicate that he will ensure that adequate provision is made for those tenants who disagree with the move? What will happen to them?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, at this stage it is not a matter for the Government. It is a matter for the London Docklands Development Corporation.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, can the Minister say to where these tenants are to go? What is the location that is proposed for them? Is it near or far? Where is it in relation to their present housing?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I am told that it is near.

Baroness Masham of Ilton

My Lords, is the Minister aware that there is a very special community spirit in that part of London? Is it not very important for good relationships with the new people coming into that area that that spirit remains?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, my noble kinswoman is absolutely right in saying that one should retain the community spirit. I believe that moving the tenants into better accommodation will seek only to reinforce that.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, will the noble Earl be good enough to elaborate his answer to my question? Where are the tenants to go? I gave an easy opening for the answer, "Somewhere near". But where will that be?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, as I understand it, the replacement housing will be determined by tenant preference. Tenants being displaced will be offered a choice of two new or refurbished Housing Association units. Where the tenants decline those offers, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets will rehouse them in existing council stock.

Lord Sefton of Garston

My Lords, as this is the only recent example of people being disturbed by the wholesale developments in the South-East, can the Minister say whether the Government have any idea about the total disturbance which will be made by all the developments? If so, what are they going to do about it? Is it not about time that they responded to Mr. Heseltine and had an inquiry into the problems of the South-East?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, the noble Lord seeks to enlarge the Question quite considerably, but I am sure he will agree with me that where one is providing better accommodation for tenants that is to be welcomed.

Lord Mellish

My Lords. is the noble Lord aware that you will never have massive redevelopment of any kind and get complete unanimity? It is impossible. You can pay for it, but you do not get it.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, the noble Lord is right.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, in one of his responses the Minister said that a minority of the tenants were strongly against the move. Therefore he must be aware that if those tenants stand by their ultimate rights it would take court action to evict them, which would mean a most expensive delay in terms of money for the redevelopers and everyone else'? Can the Minister use his best endeavours to ensure, wherever he can, that the fullest consultation takes place beforehand in order to avoid such a situation, which would benefit no one involved in the exercise?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I take note of what the noble Lord, Lord Dean, has said. It is important. But it is up to the London Docklands Development Corporation rather than the Government at this stage. However I am sure that everyone wants the scheme to proceed as quickly as possible for the right reasons.

Viscount St. Davids

My Lords, when tenants are compulsorily removed after this fashion can the Minister tell me whether they carry with them the length of period during which they lived in their former home as a right towards the purchase of a freehold, should they wish to do so?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I am afraid that I do not know the totally correct answer to that question. I think that I know what the answer ought to he hut, as I am not entirely sure, it would be wrong for me to respond to the noble Viscount.