§ 70. Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Estates Committee of the Birmingham City Council had 63,813 applicants for houses on its register on 3rd January; that thousands of those applicants are now living under conditions of congestion and misery; and what further steps are being taken by his department to expand house building in Birmingham.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware that although substantial progress has been made there is still a large unsatisfied need for houses in Birmingham. New housebuilding will proceed to the fullest extent possible under the Government programme as set out in the White Paper on Capital Investment in 1948.
§ 71. Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the number of eviction orders obtained in the courts in Birmingham, averaging 15 per week in recent months, and thus increasing the difficulties of the housing problem; and if he will adopt emergency measures to enable the Estates Committee of the City Council to provide accommodation for evicted families.
§ Mr. BevanThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." The local authority already have powers to requisition accommodation.