HC Deb 23 November 1950 vol 481 c83W
104. Mr. Harrison

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue circulars of advice to local authorities to ensure that necessitous cases receive the first consideration when granting building licences for private residential purposes.

105. Mr. Harrison

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue circulars of advice in regard to the allocation to individuals of licences for building dwelling houses with a view to securing that such licences should be offered in the first place to people on the housing lists of the various local authorities.

Mr. Bevan

The guidance already given to local authorities should be sufficient to ensure that licences go to those whose need is greatest. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the relevant circulars.

109. Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give sympathetic consideration to the applications of local councils who apply for an extra quota of building licences on the understanding that, in selecting tenants for any of their houses, they will consider applications from ex-Regular Service men equally with those of other applicants on a basis of housing need.

Mr. Bevan

The adoption of a practice properly and commonly followed by local authorities in the selection of tenants for their own houses does not constitute a reason for exceptional treatment in the proportion of licences which they are authorised to issue.