HC Deb 21 November 1946 vol 430 cc158-9W
95. Mr. Teeing

asked the Minister of Health why, out of 134 houses requisitioned by the Hove Council for housing, he has found it necessary to single out Mr. Bernstein's house, the Red House, Lansdowne Road, and order the Hove Council to derequisition it; how long this house has been owned by Mr. Bernstein; and what are the reasons for overriding the council's decision

Mr. Bevan

This house, which was apparently acquired by Mr. Bernstein during the war, has not been singled out for exceptional treatment. The Hove Town Council refrained earlier in the year from taking it over from the War Department, and on 8th May issued a licence to the owner for its conversion into flats but, on 18th September, as this work had not been put in hand, posted a notice of requisition on the house. The delay in carrying out the work of conversion was due to the serious illness of Mr. Bernstein's architect and did not appear to be a sufficient reason for reversal of the original decision of the council, who were accordingly requested to release the property on condition that the work would he put in hand by the owner without delay and that three of the six flats to be provided would be let to tenants acceptable to the council and at reasonable rents.