§ Wing-Commander R. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware of the serious shortage of housing accommodation in Blackpool which results in the families of Service and ex-Service men living in overcrowded conditions; and whether he is prepared to grant to the corporation, for the duration of the war, the same powers to requisition empty houses for their needs as is given in the case of industrial workers, 1418W provided that the landlord has first been given a reasonable opportunity of letting and has failed to do so;
(2) what assistance he can give to the corporation of Blackpool in its efforts to provide suitable housing accommodation for the families of Service and ex-Service men who are now living in overcrowded conditions;
(3) whether he is prepared to allow the corporation of Blackpool to use the properties requisitioned for his Department as an insurance against his needs in the case of evacuation and at present unoccupied for the purpose of housing families of Service and ex-Service men who are at present living in overcrowded conditions.
§ Mr. WillinkI am aware of the shortage of accommodation in Blackpool, as in most other parts of the country. The power to requisition houses for any families inadequately housed has been delegated in Blackpool as elsewhere by a Circular dated 4th August last, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy. The housing problem can only be solved by the building of new houses, but owing to the overriding demands on labour and materials for war purposes I am not yet able to authorise such building. The Government are considering whether it will be possible before long to initiate preparatory work so as to expedite building when the time comes. I understand that only three houses are at present held in reserve in Blackpool for emergency purposes, and consideration is being given to the possibility of releasing them.