Oral Answers to Questions — Housing – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 4 July 1963.
Mr Leslie Spriggs
, St Helens
12:00,
4 July 1963
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent the policy stated in paragraph 75 of Command Paper No. 2050 represents a change in Government policy.
Sir Keith Joseph
, Leeds North East
The statements in paragraph 75 of the white paper are fully in accord with the Government's frequently declared policy on housing subsidies and the cost of housing.
Mr Leslie Spriggs
, St Helens
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in paragraph 75 of that Command Paper he says that people are prepared to meet the cost of owning a house of their own? Will he remember that hundreds of thousands of people who cannot afford to pay for a home are having to do so, and are in great difficulty, because it is the only way in which they can get a house? As the Minister responsible for local government, will he set up an inquiry to go into the costs of building and to report to the House?
Sir Keith Joseph
, Leeds North East
I am glad to say that the numbers of houses are in general rising and that the Government are increasing the programme, both public and private, because of the need.
Mr Leslie Spriggs
, St Helens
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in his discussions with local authorities, mentioned in paragraph 76 of Command Paper No. 2050, he will give an assurance that he will take into account all proposals made by local authorities in England and Wales for housing subsidies.
Sir Keith Joseph
, Leeds North East
Yes, Sir. But I hope that any local authority with a suggestion to make will, as a matter of convenience, put it forward through the appropriate local authority association.
Mr Leslie Spriggs
, St Helens
In the meantime, when discussing local government finance would the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact that interest repayments form a great proportion of the cost of building houses and schools?
Sir Keith Joseph
, Leeds North East
Interest will, of course, be one of the costs which will be taken into account.
Mr Michael Maitland Stewart
, Fulham
Have not local authorities already laid great stress on that aspect of the matter in their communications to the right hon. Gentleman?
Sir Keith Joseph
, Leeds North East
Some local authorities have, but this is to be a thorough overhaul of all housing subsidies, all the costs and all the incomes.
A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.
More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
