Mr. R. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the Oroydon Borough Council have refused to approve an exchange of accommodation between Mr. W. Newbound, of 156 East Dulwich Grove, S.E.22, with Mr. L. R. Shrimpton, of 97, King Henry's Drive, New Adding-ton, Croydon; that the Camberwell Borough Council approved the exchange and the Croydon Housing Committee originally agreed to it, but have since declined to agree; and if he will consider circularising local authorities to the effect 16W that such exchanges of accommodation in future should not be refused.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanSection 83 of the Housing Act, 1936, leaves the local housing authority free to choose their tenants for themselves, and I have no power to interfere. All local authorities were asked in 1949 to facilitate exchanges, not only in their own areas, but also between one area and another. I have asked the Housing Management Sub-Committee of the Central Housing Advisory Committee to review this problem; when their report is ready I will consider whether further advice to local authorities is needed.