Ex-Servicemen
30.
asked the Minister of Health what practical steps he is taking to give priority in housing accommodation to ex-Servicemen.
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) on 25th October. I am sending him a copy of the circular to which I then referred.
Would the Minister publish in the Official Report a list of the authorities who give priority, and of those who do not give priority, to ex-Service-men and to the families of Servicemen?
That question is irrelevant to the Question on the Order Paper. The local authorities are supposed to take note of the over-all needs of an applicant, and to that I hope they will adhere. Otherwise, grave injustice will arise.
Unfit Houses (Rent)
33.
asked the Minister of Health how many houses in England and Wales were classified unfit for human habitation in 1939; how many are still inhabited; in how many cases have the tenants been called upon to pay 47½ per cent, increase on the standard 1914 rent; and will he take steps to prevent this overcharge.
I would refer my lion. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton (Mr. Sparks) on 25th October. The information asked for in the third part of the Question is not available, but under the Rent Restriction Acts a tenant who obtains a certificate from the sanitary authority that his house is not in a reasonable state of repair may apply to the court for an Order suspending the 40 per cent. increase of the standard rent.
34.
asked the Minister of Health if he proposes to introduce legislation. to make illegal the collection or payment of rent for dwellings which are unfit for human habitation.
The Rent Restriction Acts already contain provisions enabling part of the rent to be withheld where the house is not in a reasonable state of repair and I do not think further action is practicable at a time when owing to the shortage, unfit houses must continue to be occupied and palliative repairs carried out to them.
Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that answer, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.
Private Ownership
37.
asked the Minister of Health whether he wall approve the building of houses of good standard and design and sold at a fair and reasonable price to enable those working-class people to own their own house if they wish to do so.
Local authorities are empowered to license the erection of new houses for sale if they do not exceed 1,000 superficial feet, and do not cost more than £1,200 outside London, or £1,300 in London. Authorities will, I am sure, insist when issuing the licences, that the houses should be of a good standard and design.
Why restrict it to that figure, in view of current prices? Is it not a fact also that when the working-class own their own homes they become good Conservative voters?.
My reply to the first part of the question is that I explained the reasons for the limitation on the standard and on the amount, when I addressed the House of Commons on housing policy. My answer to the second part of the question is that it is obvious that the hon. Member had altruistic motives in putting the Question on the Paper.
In his desire that men should own their own homes what protection is the right hon. Gentleman giving to see that they own houses and not jerry-built shacks?
The House will be discussing the matter, I think, next week. I have already made arrangements to enable individuals to borrow money at cheap rates to buy the more expensive houses.
Housing Associations
38.
asked the Minister of Health whether he will encourage local authorities to make full use of housing societies, formed with the object of building or reconstructing cottages in rural areas; and whether he will ensure that such societies will be granted the same financial assistance and the same priorities for material and labour as are accorded to local authorities undertaking similar work.
39.
asked the Minister of Health whether he will now give an assurance to non-profit-making housing societies and associations which are desirous of co-operating with local authorities in the provision of houses to let and are prepared to enter into suitable agreements with those authorities, that Exchequer subsidies will be made available to them on similar terms to those which will be applicable to local authorities, as in the case of the Act of 1930 and subsequent housing legislation; and that where such arrangements are entered into, labour and materials will be allocated accordingly.
I am prepared to approve arrangements made by a local authority with a housing association under Section 94 of the Housing Act, 1936, where I am satisfied that the houses which the association propose to provide will be houses of the kind which are most needed, and will effectively supplement the local authority's own housing programme. This will apply in rural areas as elsewhere. Approval under the Section means that the same financial assistance can be given to the association as to a local authority; and the same priorities for materials and labour would also be made available.
Is my right hon. Friend aware that a number of these very valuable associations have complete plans and technical assistance ready? Will he do all in his power to facilitate the immediate prosecution of their work?
I am prepared to consider sympathetically upon their specific merits all applications, but I am not prepared to encourage housing authorities to farm out their housing powers.
May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to urge upon reluctant local authorities to do all they can to give substantial help to these excellent societies in order to try to make some small amends for having deprived the countryside of the benefits of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act?
I am not aware that the local authorities are responsible for depriving the countryside of houses—[HON. MEMBERS: "No, you are."] —but I am aware that previous Administrations are responsible for the lack of houses in rural areas.
Will the Minister take steps to see that the houses built by these associations are not tied?
The application of a statutory condition to houses built by housing associations with funds provided by the community makes it perfectly clear that the. houses must be reasonably rented, of good design and built where the local authorities wish them to be built, and that they must not, in any circumstances, become part of the privileges of any property-owning organisation.
Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that bodies which have no public accountability will not be encouraged to undertake work that ought to be done by local authorities?
The hon. Member can take it for granted that I should consider favourably applications from housing associations only where those associations, in special circumstances, can make contributions not otherwise available, but not in substitution of the obligations of local authorities.
Building Permits
41.
asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet reached agreement with all other Ministers concerned upon a formula that will enable him to grant permission to the appropriate authorities, during the housing emergency, to issue one all-embracing building permit to cover all separate permits now required from all the various departments.
I hope shortly to be able to make a statement as to the arrangements to which I referred in my reply to a supplementary question by the hon. Member on 1st November.
Repairs
42.
asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet made the inquiry into the matter brought to his attention by the hon. Member for Mile End with regard to the repair of C (b) houses in Stepney; and if he now has any statement to make on the matter.
The investigation is not yet completed but I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Does not the right hon. Gentleman recall that he gave me a similar answer exactly three weeks ago? Could I therefore ask him to be as expeditious as possible, in view of the fact that the question which was brought to his attention three weeks ago is a matter which vitally affects the whole of London?
I have said that the most effective supplementary questions are the short ones.
The answer to the hon. Member is that this matter of the repair of houses in London is one of great per-plexity and very considerable concern. I have been left, I am bound to say, with the most depressing legacy in this matter. The "cost plus" system of repairs has had a demoralising effect both upon the employees and employers, and 1 hope to be able to announce very shortly the end of the whole system.
Large Houses (Accommodation)
43.
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there are many residences in the country containing considerable living accommodation which, at present, is not used; and whether he will instruct local authorities to use their powers to make this accommodation available for those at present in need.
I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Stafford (Captain Swingler) on 16th November.
Is the Minister aware that within the shadow of one of these great residences in my constituency there is a family, absolutely unable to obtain accommodation, which is threatened with eviction, and will he cause inquiries to be made and appropriate action taken to prevent this injustice?
If my hon. Friend will bring the case he mentions to my attention, I will have it investigated. There are probably a number of instances of the same kind.