32. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now take appropriate steps to permit local authorities with long housing waiting lists to purchase private houses which are offered to them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonThis is our intention in suitable cases and I shall be issuing a circular to local authorities shortly.
§ Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to encourage the conversion and improvement of older houses to provide more accommodation to let at fair market rents, so as to help shorten the waiting lists for homes, as evidenced by the situation in Bournemouth.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Government are urgently considering further measures to 353W encourage the conversion and improvement of suitable older houses. At the same time, steps will be taken to ensure an adequate supply of rented property at reasonable rents.