§ Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the course of an inquiry on slum clearance in Birmingham on 17th March representatives of the city council officially dissociated questions of rehousing from the subject-matter of the inquiry; that there is now in Birmingham a shortage of 10,000 houses and tenants of houses to be demolished could not be accommodated; and will he require the council to produce evidence of ability to rehouse before they displace any occupants of houses?
§ Sir K. WOODI am aware that difficulties have been encountered in connection with the erection of rehousing accommodation in Birmingham. I under1834W stand, however, that it was clearly stated on behalf of the corporation at the inquiry to which my hon. Friend refers, that rehousing accommodation would be provided before any persons were displaced from the areas which were the subject of this inquiry.