§ Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps he is taking or proposes to take to encourage the letting of surplus accommodation in houses at present under-occupied other than the exercise by local authorities of coercive powers ;
(2) what steps he is taking and proposes to take to encourage the letting of surplus accommodation in owner-occupied houses now withheld from the market in areas of housing need ;
(3) whether he will consider legislation designed to remove the present disincentive of owner's loss of control of house property now under-occupied by one family when converted to provide an extra home to let.
§ Mr. EyreMy hon. Friend is always ready to consider measures designed to encourage the supply of more homes but has, however, no immediate plans for legislation of the kind my hon. Friend has in mind.
§ Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment it, with a view to legislation designed to encourage 64W the letting of surplus accommodation, he will estimate the number of houses at present occupied by single persons or one family which could be subdivided to provide accommodation for an additional family of two or three persons.
§ Mr. EyreNo material is available on which to base such an estimate, and I doubt if a special survey would be justified.