§ Mr. Rileyasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that whereas in Section 15 of the Housing Act of 1925, dealing with condemned property, the order to the owner is to take down and remove the house or building, in the Housing Act of 1936, Section 13, the corresponding order is to demolish the house; and whether it is intended that under the wording of the Act of 1936 the local authority should insist on the owner taking down the house or building and removing the débris?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware of the difference in the wording of the Sections of the Acts of 1925 and 1936 quoted by the hon. Member. I am advised that, whilst Section 13 of the Housing Act, 1936, does not empower local authorities to insist on the removal of débris where buildings have been demolished, the local authorities have power under the Public Health Acts to proceed in cases of uncleared sites where the condition of the site amounts to a nuisance.