§ Mr. Baxterasked the Minister of Health the number of houses which have been requisitioned by local authorities in the Greater London area for reservation for possible bombed out refugees; and whether, in view of the urgent demands of invalided ex-Service men for housing accommodation, he will authorise the releasing from the requisition of some proportion of the houses.
§ Mr. WillinkThe number of vacant single-family dwellings reserved for the homeless in the London Civil Defence Region is 3,126. I should not feel justified in suggesting to local authorities that they should reduce this reserve at the present time. Local authorities are, however, continually endeavouring to substitute for the reserved single-family dwellings accommodation in larger houses which is not so suitable for permanent occupation, and where this can be done the single-family dwellings are then used for families who are inadequately housed, including, of course, the families of invalided ex-Service men and other cases of special hardship.
Captain Pluģģeasked the Minister of Health on what basis the assessment of rent is being decided by local authorities who requisition empty houses.
§ Mr. WillinkIn assessing the charge to be made for accommodation in requisitioned property local authorities are asked to take into account the costs incurred in requisitioning and in rendering the accommodation suitable. The charge should not be less than the amount that the occupant might reasonably expect to pay as rent if housed in the normal way in the district. So far as possible the aim should be to obtain an economic rent. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the circular to local authorities on this matter.