§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board that their houses standing empty in areas of colliery closures and in particular where the local authority has a negligible waiting list should be offered to those neighbouring local authorities which have waiting lists.
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe National Coal Board already give first refusal of its surplus houses to local authorities. Housing authorities have power to provide and own housing outside their areas, so that neighbouring authorities are already in a position to make out a case for the acquisition of these houses if they need them.