§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Health whether, in order to mitigate the present 1958W housing shortage, he will consider, in some cases where houses which are subject to operative demolition orders have not yet been demolished, withdrawing the demolition orders upon the owners' undertaking to carry out such alterations or repairs as the local authority concerned deems adequate?
§ Mr. E. BrownNeither I nor local authorities have power to withdraw operative demolition orders, and I am not prepared to ask Parliament for powers which would enable the lives of houses which have been condemned as slums, and which but for the war would have been demolished and replaced by new dwellings, to be prolonged indefinitely. As my hon. Friend may be aware, local authorities in whose areas the housing position is acute owing to an influx of agricultural workers or of persons made homeless by enemy action are empowered by Defence Regulations to issue licences permitting the re-occupation of condemned houses for a period subject to safeguards as regards repair and rent. It has been made clear to all concerned that the issue of licences in no way alters the legal status of the houses which will, therefore, be demolished as soon as conditions enable the necessary replacement accommodation to be provided.