Waiting Lists

Oral Answers to Questions — Housing – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 November 1949.

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Photo of Mr Philip Piratin Mr Philip Piratin , Stepney Mile End 12:00, 24 November 1949

asked the Minister of Health if he has received the information concerning housing waiting lists from local authorities for which he asked in his Circular 171/48, and which should have been returned to his Department by 31st March; and when he will make a report of the information he has received.

Photo of Mr Aneurin Bevan Mr Aneurin Bevan , Ebbw Vale

Returns have now been received from all but a few local authorities, but I am unable at present to add to the reply I gave on 24th October.

Photo of Mr Philip Piratin Mr Philip Piratin , Stepney Mile End

Does the Minister therefore say that he has not received all the replies which were due some seven months ago? Was not the purpose of collating this information in order to know exactly what kind of housing programme was necessary?

Photo of Mr Aneurin Bevan Mr Aneurin Bevan , Ebbw Vale

The purpose is to enable local authorities to screen housing lists, to have them sent to the central authority and then have them analysed for redundancy and various other particulars in order to give us, as far as possible, an approximate estimate of the housing needs.

Photo of Mr Edward Fleming Mr Edward Fleming , Manchester, Withington

From his study of those replies which have already been received could the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the number of people waiting for houses is increasing or decreasing?

Photo of Mr Aneurin Bevan Mr Aneurin Bevan , Ebbw Vale

I should say they are on the decrease, not on the increase, but until all the returns are in I cannot tell what the figures are.

Photo of Mr Derek Walker-Smith Mr Derek Walker-Smith , Hertford

Does not the Minister agree that the lists will be added to considerably by the persons who are disappointed through not getting a licence to have a house built by private enterprise? Will not that be a further addition to the list?

Photo of Mr Aneurin Bevan Mr Aneurin Bevan , Ebbw Vale

I do not agree at all. If a person has a need ahead of someone else then he should receive his requirements from the local authority's scheme and not merely by virtue of the fact that he has the money to buy a house.