§ 139. Mr. Shurmerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the decision of his Department to permit an alteration in the ratio of houses built by the housing authority and private builders will cause concern in Birmingham where only a small proportion of those on the waiting list of the housing department have indicated their ability to build their own houses, or pay enhanced rents; and if he will reconsider his decision as far as that city is concerned.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanNo. Within the maximum of one-half it is for the local authority to decide after considering the needs of their district what proportion of their allocations of houses should be built privately.
§ Mr. Turner-Samuelsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that his new scheme of licences for one house for sale for each council house built will deprive persons in Gloucester, who most need houses, of the opportunity of obtaining a house as soon as they would have done under the old arrangement, and will mainly benefit those with more cash but less need; and if he will, therefore, consider modifying his scheme to avoid this consequence.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanNo. I cannot accept the premises of the hon. and learned Gentleman's argument and I am, therefore, forced to reject its conclusion.