§ Mr. NAYLORasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the facts disclosed at a recent inquest held in the Southwark Coroner's Court on Thomas Peters, a hawker, who was found dead on the floor of his one room from pulmonary tuberculosis; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the fact that the premises in which the man lived had been condemned, the London County Council was collecting the rents; that the doctor stated at the inquest that the place was not fit for a pig to live in, and that the verdict was that death was accelerated by the man's surroundings; and whether, seeing that similar cases have previously been before the Southwark Coroner, he will take steps to ascertain what can be done locally, in Southwark and other London boroughs similarly situated, for the immediate improvement of such conditions?
Mr. GREENWOODMy right hon. Friend's attention has been called to case referred to. The property in question was acquired by the London County Council 1953W with a view to its demolition under the Tabard Street Improvement Scheme. The clearance of the area is proceeding as rapidly as possible, and will be completed as soon as alternative accommodation is available for the tenants to be displaced.