asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is yet able to make a statement on the resale of houses built under licence since the war.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a statement of the Government's proposals concerning the selling price of houses built under licence.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement concerning the continuance or otherwise of the control over the selling prices of houses built under private licence since the war.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what conditions he proposes to impose on the resale of houses built under licence when the present Regulations lapse in December next.

The power to control the selling price of post-war houses is contained in Section 7 of the Building Materials and Housing Act, 1945, Section 43 of the Housing Act, 1949, and Section 38 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1949. It will lapse automatically on 20th December next unless renewed, and the Government do not propose to ask Parliament to renew it. This control was introduced to prevent profiteering in these houses at a time when licences were difficult to obtain and pre-war houses commanded scarcity prices. Now that freedom to build under licence has been greatly extended and the price of pre-war houses is declining, we do not think that this control, which imposes a real hardship on many owner-occupiers, can any longer be justified.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this will be a keenly controversial matter on which no doubt debate may take place in this House, and that to many of us it appears to be a blatant encouragement to profiteering?

I think that if the right hon. Gentleman had watched the prices which are actually commanded in the market he would have seen that the success of the housing policy of the Government has had the effect of reducing prices.

Does the Minister recall that in the pre-war years there were evils associated with the question of building for profit which were condemned as such and recognised not only by the Members of the Labour Party? Will he keep a careful watch to see that they do not occur again?

I shall keep a watch on every relevant matter.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that this provision has served its purpose very well but that the decision of the Government not to renew it is very timely and marks a valuable step forward in the Government's general plans to see that all sections of the community are properly housed?

Is the Minister aware that while the prices of larger houses in many areas have fallen the prices of smaller houses are still very high indeed, and that in areas where there are very few houses obtainable to rent the provisions which the Minister proposes to revoke have been a real safeguard and are still needed?

I think that the governing words are "have been."

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a statement of the Government's intentions regarding the introduction of legislation to amend the Rent Restrictions Acts.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a statement concerning the review of the Rent Restrictions Acts in view of details recently given to him on this matter.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has now decided to introduce legislation to amend the Rent Acts.

I hope to make a statement in due course.

Does that answer mean that the Minister has made up his mind to stop dodging this issue?

I can say one thing with certainty: I do not propose to introduce legislation this Session.

Will the Minister consider taking steps to prevent an increase in the rents of council houses, especially in the Chatham area?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement will be awaited perhaps with apprehension on the other side of the House but with complete confidence on this side?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in considering the imposition of limits on the housebuilding programmes of local authorities, he will take special account of the needs of areas affected by mining subsidence and give priority to these areas.

Yes, Sir. I try to take account of all relevant factors. Meanwhile, progress has been very substantial in the last two years.

May I take it from that answer that the Minister will now approve the contracts in Newcastle-under-Lyme which he recently rejected on the ground of the arbitrary limit put on the number of houses under construction?

I do not think that the story of Newcastle-under-Lyme is too bad. In 1951, 235 houses were completed; in 1952, 307; in 1953 so far 372, and I feel confident that it will reach about 530. That will leave 620 uncompleted, so that next year the completions must be at least 600 and I trust that they may be even more.

Although I recognise that the Labour-controlled council in Newcastle-under-Lyme have done very well, why should the Minister impose a limitation upon them when there is labour and materials available to enable them to do even better?

The figures are the answer.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to reclaim derelict land for housing and other purposes.

The reclamation of derelict land is a problem which local authorities have well in mind. As councils are aware I am always ready to consider reclamation proposals as far as my approval may be necessary and to give all the help I can. I am glad to say that a good deal has been and is being done.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that houses on some new housing estates are not provided with cooking or clothes-washing facilities and that these have to be provided by the tenant; and if he will arrange that these facilities shall be provided by councils in all their new houses.

Some local authorities prefer to give their tenants freedom of choice. Points for either gas or electricity are always installed. A tenant can then get whatever type of appliance he prefers. I do not think this is a matter on which I should dictate to local authorities.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many of these places there are not even cookers and that many tenants cannot bear the great expense in view of the high cost of living and the cost of materials?

All these are relevant questions, but I think it is better to leave to the local authority the duty of making its own decision.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce an amendment to Section 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1949, in order to make it possible for those with long leases and where the rent is under the full rateable value to re-sell their houses.

This raises difficult problems. I can as yet make no definite statement as to what can or cannot be done towards their solution.

Can the Minister give any idea when he may be able to make a statement, because this is a most serious problem for all concerned?

I know it is, and I know the hon. Gentleman's interest in the matter. I fear not this Session.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the difficulties being experienced by many persons in need of alternative housing accommodation in getting on to their local council's housing lists due to the wide variance in the method of awarding points, etc.; and whether he will recommend some suitable national scheme of points allocation.

No, Sir. My Central Housing Advisory Committee in their "Selection of Tenants" Report considered the adoption of a uniform method of selection by all housing authorities to be impracticable. I agree with them.

Is not the Minister aware that there are many instances where some of the local authorities say that the applicant must have been residing in the area in 1939, some others say that they must have been resident in the area for a considerable time, while some others say they must have been resident for three years? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are thousands of people who cannot get on to any housing list at all, and should not something be done to help these people to get on to at least one housing list to enable them to get some accommodation?

I think the best way of grappling with this problem is to build more houses. With regard to the actual problem, we think that the best way to enforce a uniform system of housing is to allow the authority to settle it themselves. This matter was referred by my predecessor in 1949 to a very valuable body, the Central Housing Advisory Committee, which stated, in its well-argued and, I think, convincing Report, that it was against any attempt to enforce uniformity.

If the Minister will not agree to advise the authorities concerned, will he not try to do something to see that these people can be accepted on at least one housing list? Is he not aware, from cases which I and other hon. Members have sent him, that there are literally hundreds of cases where families cannot get on to any housing list at all? Surely, something should be done to help this kind of case?

We are doing all we can, but I still say that progress in housing is the best way in which we can help.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the difficulties confronting war-damaged towns and cities in rebuilding their war-damaged areas, while at the same time trying to clear their slum areas; and whether he will make a statement of his intentions to assist local authorities confronted with this problem.

I am aware of the difficulties, and am anxious to give any help that I can. I do not know, however, what special point the hon. Member has in mind. If he would let me know, I will certainly consider his suggestions.

While thanking the Minister for that very sympathetic reply, may I ask him to consult with at least one local authority—the county borough of West Ham—and perhaps others, where, because of the financial losses resulting from the war, there are serious financial difficulties in building new houses, because these authorities cannot afford to get on with the job of slum clearance and at the same time build new houses? If the Minister will consult with some of these authorities, I myself, and I have no doubt other hon. Members, will be very glad to help.

I should be very ready to do so, and if the hon. Gentleman will bring them to see me, I shall be very happy to see them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the fact that in the first six months of this year the Hornchurch Urban District Council have completed only 24 houses to let as compared with 286 built for sale, and that there are over 1,500 families on the Hornchurch waiting list, he will withdraw from the Horn-church Urban District Council the powers delegated by him to issue building licences.

No, Sir. The Urban District Council have been properly issuing licences in accordance with the present procedure. Their own progress has been held up by the fact that they cannot start on their principal new site till proper sewerage is available.

Is the Minister aware, firstly, that his Department has refused to find the funds necessary for the sewerage scheme, and, secondly, that the Conservative local council is saying that the Minister approves the proportion of 24 council houses to 268 built for private enterprise? Will the right hon. Gentleman say that he disapproves of that now?

The actual facts are that, since the war, 4,000 houses have been built in the Hornchurch district, of which about 2,000 were by private enterprise and 2,000 by the local authorities.

Is the Minister aware that these 2,000 houses were built under a Labour-controlled council, and that, since the Conservatives have taken over, there has been practically a cessation of private building, and will he not condemn it?

No, Sir; the hon. and learned Gentleman is wrong in his facts, not, I think, for the first time. The largest numbers of private enterprise houses built since the war were 423 in 1945–46 and 405 in 1946–47.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will state at the nearest convenient date the number of houses under construction for the local authority and by private enterprise for sale, respectively, in the Hornchurch urban district.

I cannot add to the information published in the Housing Returns and summaries.

Is the Minister aware, first of all, that the Conservative Chairman of Hornchurch Council says that that information is wrong, and, secondly, that it shows that there are 98 houses under construction for letting and 508 for private enterprise? Does he not consider that that is absolutely disgusting?

The hon. and learned Gentleman seems to be giving information rather than asking for it.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that, when he is in office, it is necessary for every hon. Member to do that?

They ask the Questions, but they do not like the answers, and the answer is 300,000 houses a year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will discourage the use, in circulars issued by his Department, of the words "potable" and "non-potable" as a description of water supplies when presumably "drinkable" and "undrinkable" is meant.

I do not much like either word. I am advised that "potable" has become so well established a term among those responsible for water supplies that there is some risk of confusion if it were changed.

Does not my right hon. Friend think it highly desirable to get back to plain English? Since the circular in question will go out not only to those who normally understand a particular meaning but to others as well who might have some difficulty in understanding it, might not some change be made? Also, can my right hon. Friend say whether the word should be pronounced "po-table" or "pot-able"?

It is desirable to use plain English, but I assure my hon. Friend that it is very unusual.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the total amount of capital expenditure that will be permitted for the reconstruction of the bombed area of Exeter for 1954.

Final arrangements have not yet been made. But I hope that in 1954 the progress made in 1952 and 1953 will be continued.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the number of unmade roads in Hornchurch, he is prepared to sanction an increased sum to be spent on making up of roads under the Private Street Works Acts in the Hornchurch urban district.

Yes, Sir. I hope to be able to allow some increase next year.

Would the Minister at this time explain to the House why someone in Hornchurch can spend £100 freely on building his garage but is not permitted to spend £90 on building a road exactly opposite?

The hon. and learned Gentleman knows that for many years the amount which could be spent on making up private roads was laid down by the Minister, including my predecessors, to each authority. I am happy to be able to say that in 1953 we were able to grant £15,000, against £2,000 in 1952, £8,000 in 1951, £6,000 in 1950, and I hope that 1954 will be better still

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consideration he has given to the issues of economic policy involved in derating; and what action he has now decided to take.

These issues are continually under consideration, but I cannot add to previous statements on the subject.

As the Minister said nothing in previous statements on the subject, is he not aware that all the associations of local authorities and all responsible organisations of shopkeepers and traders are quite disgusted at his continued evasion of this issue?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman would like to inform himself of the problems connected with it, I cannot do better than refer him to the speech of his right hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) on the Second Reading of the Valuation for Rating Bill, when we had an interesting discussion on derating and when the party opposite ran away from the Amendment which they had put down.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether Circular 41/53, addressed to local authorities, applies to land transactions by new town corporations.

The Circular was not addressed to development corporations, but the basis of transactions in land between them and private persons is the same as that set out in the Circular.

Since this Circular provides for a much fairer method of acquiring land, could my right hon. Friend make quite sure that the development corporations do avail themselves of this new concession?

Yes; I shall certainly do that, but I shall not actually direct them, because I think it is far better to advise them and leave the decision in their own hands. If my hon. Friend has any particular case and will consult with me, I will take it up at once.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will give approval for the purchase of land in Addington Road and Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, for the purpose of building a community centre and library; and when he will give building permission to carry out this work.

The Council have not yet given me any details about these proposals. As soon as I know more about them, I shall certainly be ready to consider the question of timing.

asked the Minister of Works how many office premises, houses or other buildings, he has caused to be derequisitioned during the first six months of this year as compared with the number released during the same period in 1951.

During the first six months of 1953, 57 offices, 105 houses and 76 other buildings were derequisitioned by my Ministry. The comparable figures for the first six months of 1951 were 73 offices, 175 houses and 135 other buildings. In spite of the ban on new office building, derequisitioning has been maintained at a good rate, largely because of more economical use of Government accommodation.

While it is obvious that my right hon. Friend is doing very well in this matter, may I ask him if he will bear in mind that there are still 80,000 buildings under requisition? Will he therefore press onwards even more ardently to release our buildings as well as our people?

Yes, Sir. There were 11 million square feet under requisition when we came into office, and that figure has been reduced to 6 million. It becomes more difficult as we get down to the hard core, but we shall press on.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the concern felt by many people in the neighbourhood about his intention to re-erect fencing around Primrose Hill and to close the hill after dusk; and whether he will make a statement as to his reasons.

asked the Minister of Works (1) why he has decided to enclose Primrose Hill and to close it to the public at night; if he is aware of the resentment at his decision felt by those living in the neighbourhood; and if he will reconsider the matter;

Since the war considerable damage has been done at night in Primrose Hill by hooligans who cannot be caught unless the Hill is enclosed. Lamp-posts, chairs and other property have again and again been damaged. The latest act of vandalism was on 5th October when the admirable plaque recently presented by Mr. Arthur Kenyon was wrenched from its base. I propose therefore to close the Hill from 7.30 p.m. during the winter and at dusk in the summer. I shall do all I can not to inconvenience residents, but until the marauders are dealt with it is not worth trying to improve the amenities of the Hill.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his promise not to close the hill before 7.30 p.m., may I ask whether he is aware that a great many people in the locality are convinced that closing at night would not be necessary if the hill were more effectively patrolled?

The difficulty is that we cannot catch these people in the dark unless the hill is enclosed and it is therefore possible to question anybody who is there when he ought not to be.

On account of a handful of hooligans, is the Minister really going to deprive the people of London of this amenity, which is extensively enjoyed by them after 7.30 p.m. whatever his information on the subject may be? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that increased patrolling would be a very simple way of dealing with this matter, and does he realise that protests have come not only from my constituents, but from people all over London? Will the right hon. Gentleman think again?

We have tried increased patrolling, and I am bound to say that I think the amenities enjoyed after dark are not comparable with those which we can provide during the day.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Works what requests he has received for permission for further concerts to be given at mid-day in Westminster Hall; and whether the next concert can be expected before Christmas.

I am considering one request to sing carols in Westminster Hall before Parliament rises for the Christmas Recess.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the decision regarding the holding of concerts in Westminster Hall rests exclusively with him or whether, in the event of him being in favour of the proposition, there are some other authorities connected with the building who might overrule him?

As the hon. Baronet knows, it is a very difficult question to answer as to where exactly the responsibility rests. I feel it my duty to consult other authorities connected with the Palace before coming to a decision, and that is what I am now doing.

Will the Minister answer the Question? I am asking where the authority rests, and if there are difficulties we ought to know what they are.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to avoid the repetition of so-called guerilla strikes in future especially in those industries which affect the export trade and the development of our defence programme.

The best method of avoiding disputes of any kind is the establishment by the parties of mutual confidence and cooperation which will enable differences to be resolved by amicable means. The services of my Department are available to the parties in all trade disputes and they will make every endeavour to bring about settlements by conciliatory means.

Is there no way under the law of preventing these selective vendettas being carried out against individual employers and industries which have apparently incurred Communist hate?

I think I can best answer my hon. and gallant Friend by asking him to read the Report of the Court of Inquiry on a recent dispute. I would particularly refer him to paragraph 74 of that Report.

Is the Minister aware that he can feel assured of receiving the support of hon. Members on this side of the House against the tactics suggested by his hon. and gallant Friend?

asked the Minister of Labour how many wage inspectors there are in Great Britain; and what is the annual cost of their salaries and expenses.

The number of wages inspectors employed by my Department is 186: the annual cost of their salaries and expenses is £180,000.

Does the Minister consider that the cost to the taxpayer justifies the continuance of these snoopers, and is it not time that this particular form of Gestapo ceased?

I do not accept my hon. Friend's remark about Gestapo. He probably does not realise that in 1952 these inspectors resulted in the collecting of arrears of remuneration amounting to no less than £166,000 paid by 12,000 establishments.

Will my hon. Friend say why it is necessary to have these inspectors, having regard to the fact that trade unions in this country are quite efficient and quite capable of doing the job without them?

That is not our view in the Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Committee he set up to investigate the siting of slaughterhouses in Scotland has yet reported; and what recommendations it has made.

The Committee are still receiving written evidence from interested organisations and are in course of taking oral evidence from those who have submitted written statements. It is not yet possible to say when the Committee's report may be expected

Is not my right hon. Friend aware of the urgency of this matter, and could he have a word with the Committee with a view to hurrying up their procedure?

I think they are making good progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the extraction and sale of blown timber in the North-East of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made to date in the removal and disposal of the timber blown down in and around Aberdeenshire during the storm of 31st January, 1953.

Arrangements have now been made between owners and timber merchants for disposal of all but about 5 per cent. of the timber involved, and it is expected that this figure will be further reduced. About 28 per cent. of the total blown has been felled and brought to the roadside, and much of this has been converted. The work is proceeding rapidly and I consider that progress to date is as great as could reasonably have been expected. The arrangements for the various forms of transport assistance are working satisfactorily.

Has the Minister visited this area recently, and does he realise that the progress made is quite disproportionate to the time which has elapsed and that it is interfering with progress in farming and thus with the food supply of the country?

It was a very regrettable disaster, as we all know, but I do not think that the progress is bad, and I hope that within about two years, as we originally stated, it will be possible to complete the operation.

Are my right hon. Friend's advisers of the opinion that it will be two years or four years before this blown timber is not just sold but actually disposed of and cleared?

As I have said on several occasions, we hope to complete the operation in two years.

While congratulating the right hon. Gentleman's Department on the progress they have so far made in regard to this timber, may I ask whether he is aware that the preparations for the eventual replanting of these areas may take a long time? Are the Forestry Commission keeping abreast with the problem of whether private owners will be prepared to replant when the time comes?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that we have that in mind, and I will make a statement in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that one of the results of the non-disposal and non-removal of timber blown down in Aberdeenshire by the storm of 31st January, 1953, is a large increase in the number of rabbits, which cannot be destroyed where fallen timber still lies; that damage is thereby done to crops; that, as a consequence, trapping is being done in an illegal way; and what steps he is taking to rectify these conditions.

I am aware that windblown timber increases the difficulties of trapping rabbits but, while I am most anxious to facilitate and accelerate the clearance of this timber, the task is one which unfortunately takes time. Assistance is being given to enable owners to clear timber and considerable progress has been made.

Does the answer that the Minister gave to the former Question in regard to two years apply to this Question also? If so, does he not think that it is disgraceful that the food supply of the country should have to wait for two years to have this timber cleared away?

Unfortunately we cannot clear this timber in a matter of weeks, but we are doing our best.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland from how many local authorities in Scotland permission to build houses to rent has been withheld or postponed since 1st January, 1953, owing to shortage of labour or materials.

None, Sir.

Can the Minister assure us that the freedom now given, as I understand it, in regard to houses for sale will not in any way diminish the number of houses built by local authorities to rent?

The hon. Member can be assured that, so far as Scotland is concerned—and I am empowered to answer only so far as Scotland is concerned—there should be no diminution in the number of houses to let.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give some special assistance to counties, such as Shetland, to enable them to put a proper foundation and tarmac surface on essential untarred roads.

As the hon. Member is aware, I can make grants for the improvement of unclassified roads in the crofting counties, and I am always ready to consider any particular schemes of this nature which the county councils concerned may put forward.

As the Minister will know from his recent experience, many of these roads require to be practically re-made. Will he look very carefully into the question of what assistance can be given, because county councils with a very small rateable value are incapable of putting a great mileage of roads in order, to serve the districts as they ought to be served?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that we consider schemes very carefully. I realise that there are many roads which require attention and I assure him that we will do our best to assist. I was dealing in my answer with unclassified roads, to which I thought he referred.

Can the Minister see that in any census, the weight of traffic on these roads is taken into account and not always the number of vehicles that pass over them? This makes a considerable difference.

It certainly does make a great difference in the speed with which the road breaks down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the long-term arrangements for the marketing of eggs.

No, Sir. The Government are at present considering the future arrangements for egg marketing, but no decision has yet been reached. The N.F.U.'s have been asked to submit their proposals as soon as possible.

Can the Minister give us any indication when a decision may be reached and an assurance that before a decision is reached the special problems of the more remote areas will be carefully considered?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are aware of the difficulties of the more remote areas, as was stated in the recent announcement, but I am afraid that I cannot at this stage say when we shall be able to announce a final decision.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the Government have no policy in this matter?

I would rather not announce policy at this stage.

If the National Farmers' Unions are not producing an egg marketing scheme, will the Government produce one?

It is the duty of the Government to deal with the matter, and we shall await the advice of the farmers' unions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the recent occurrences at Saughton Gaol, Edinburgh; if he is aware that these are causing some anxiety to Edinburgh citizens, especially those in proximity to the gaol itself; and what steps he is taking to prevent such cases in future.

Yes, Sir. I am aware that there have been an unusual number of escapes from Edinburgh Prison during the past year. A number of measures have already been taken to strengthen the security arrangements, and further precautions are under consideration.