§ 76. Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what policy he has adopted to ensure a substantial augmentation of the technical staff, building labour and materials essential for any increased speed of slum clearance in Oldham.
Dr. Hill:I have arranged for one of my senior officials to visit the council to discuss the obstacles to be overcome to secure an acceleration of its slum clearance programme. I shall consider what the next steps should be in the light of these discussions, which will cover the points mentioned by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the nature of his pre-Easter communication to Oldham local authority in regard to the slum clearance problem; and what are the reasons for the delay in the visit 18W by his officials to ascertain the local difficulties.
Dr. Hill:My Department wrote to the clerk of the council on 13th April to say that I wanted to get a clear picture of the obstacles to securing an acceleration of its slum clearance programme, to see how they can be overcome, and to assess what consequent measure of expansion will be possible. It was suggested that the most useful first step would be for one of my senior officials to visit the council to discuss these matters. The clerk of the council acknowledged this letter, and another letter was sent on 17th May to say that I had appointed an officer to conduct these discussions on my behalf and that he would be getting in touch with the clerk to arrange a convenient date for a visit to take place shortly after Whitsun.
Oldham is one of a number of authorities to be visited, and there has been and will be no unnecessary delay in carrying out the programme of visits.