§ 84. Mr. Lathamasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many properties owned by local authorities are still withtout hot water supply; how many are without baths or bathrooms.
§ Mr. FreesonI regret that current information is not available, but the position as in 1967 is shown in Table 7 of the Appendix to the White Paper "Old Houses into New Homes".
§ 85. Mr. Lathamasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to oblige local authorities to install a hot water supply in properties acquired for demolition or modernisation but which are unlikely to be so demolished or modernised for some years.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Housing Acts, 1957 and 1969, already empower local authorities to get older houses in their districts impoved even where the normal requirements for life and standards cannot be met. I hope that councils will set a good example by making the fullest possible use of the new generous and more flexible Government contributions to improve their own houses. If a local authority have any special difficulty I will do what I can to help.