§ Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will take steps to speed up the confirmation of compulsory purchase orders for slum clearance.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe average time from submission to confirmation of the compulsory purchase orders for slum clearance which I have confirmed during the last three calendar months was a little under six months. While I am anxious 81W to keep the period as short as possible, I do not think it will be possible to lower this average greatly. Some orders are bound to take much longer than others: for example, my decision is often deliberately deferred to give time for the local authority and the owners to discuss such matters as the substitution of a clearance order, or the making good of some of the houses.