asked the Minister of Health how far, in respect of temporary repairs to war-damaged houses by local authorities, landlords are entitled to stipulate for such repairs to take any particular form?
Local authorities have power under the Housing (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, as amended by the Repair of War Damage Act, 1941, to carry out to war damaged houses any urgent repairs which appear expedient for avoiding danger to health or preventing the deterioration of the building. No notice is required to be served on the owner, so that no question arises as to the imposition by the owner of any stipulations or conditions. The standard of these first aid repairs, which is necessarily elastic, depending on the extent of the damage and the availability of labour and materials, is indicated in broad outline in paragraph 5 of Circular 2450of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.