HC Deb 18 May 1950 vol 475 cc179-80W
83. Mr. Touche

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that owing to the fact that the Dorking and Horley Rural District Council exceeded their quotation of private building licences in 1949 in order to provide agricultural cottages which were urgently needed, this local authority has only been able to issue one licence for private building this year; and, in view of the urgent need of such housing in the area, if he will consider increasing the allocation.

Mr. Bevan

I am aware that the Council issued an undue number of licences last year; as regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the circular issued to local authorities yesterday of which I am sending him a copy.

95. Mr. Hopkinson

asked the Minister of Health the reasons for the instructions given by the Principal Regional Officer of his Department in Bristol that any private building licences classified as promised, upon which the prospective licensee decides not to proceed, are to be cancelled and not transferred to another applicant.

Mr. Bevan

Under the provisional arrangements made to implement the Government's decision in December last year on capital investment, I could only allow local authorities to issue licences in cases where a definite promise had already been made.

101. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, according to published figures of housing returns, Leek Rural District Council have to date built 30 houses and have 36 under construction, whereas the same council have issued 86 private licences under which 83 houses have been completed; and will he explain the disproportion of private licences issued by Leek Rural District Council.

Mr. Bevan

Yes. Most of these licences had already been issued before the number was first limited to a definite proportion of housing allocations.