Mr. W. M. ADAMSONasked the Minister of Health whether he has received a copy of a resolution, approved by the Birmingham City Council, recommending that. powers be granted to local authorities to have control of dwelling-houses which have become void for a, period of six months; and what action he will be prepared to take in the matter?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI have received a copy of the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers. I am looking into this matter, but am not at present in a position to make any statement on the question.
§ Captain BERKELEYasked the Minister of Health whether he has or can obtain statistics to show the number of unoccupied houses in the country which the owners refuse to let and are holding over for sale; and whether he will take special powers, in view of the admitted shortage, to requisition these houses at a fair 1782W rent from the owners with a view to making them available temporarily until the Government's housing scheme has been completed?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYStatistics arc not available showing the number of unoccupied houses which the owners refuse to let and are holding for sale, and in view of the difficulty in obtaining reliable information on the point, I am of opinion that the labour and expense involved would not justify the compilation of such a return. I am looking into the matter referred to in the last part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.
§ Mr. McENTEEasked the Minister of Health whether his Department has any record of the number of houses in the Greater London area at present unoccupied and which are offered for sale, but which the owners refuse to rent to eligible tenants; whether he can say what is the approximate amount which is being lost to the local rating authorities by these houses remaining unoccupied; and whether, in view of the very grave shortage of houses, he will introduce legislation to compel owners of empty houses to pay the same rates as would be paid by them if the houses were occupied, as a means of inducing such owners to accept eligible tenants, and thus easing the housing shortage to a considerable extent?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThere is no record of the number of houses which are unoccupied for the reason mentioned and, therefore, I am unable to give any estimate of the loss in rates due to such houses. With regard to the last part of the question, I may refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave last Thursday to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey).