§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that in the County Borough of West Ham out of a total of 35,600 controlled dwellings some 3,600 are liable to be decontrolled on the passing of the Government's Rent Bill, that this borough was the worst bombed during the last war losing or having damaged over one-third of its properties, and that this has caused a severe housing shortage which will be further aggravated on the passing of this Bill; and what special action he proposes to take to assist this particular local authority to overcome their added burdens.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI know that West Ham was heavily damaged during the war; but the Rent Bill does not aggravate their housing shortage. On the contrary, by discouraging under-occupation it helps towards the maximum use of existing accommodation.