§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will encourage a special drive by direct works departments in slum clearance and house building projects in the North-West by financial and administrative incentives to the local authorities concerned.
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§ Mr. FreesonFor many years local authority direct works departments in the North-West have operated very successfully within the standard procedures, and I am not aware of any need for a special drive to encourage the authorities concerned to use fully the resources of their direct works departments on slum clearance or housebuilding projects. If, however, my hon. Friend has particular proposals in mind I will be glad to consider them.