Rent Restricted Houses (Repairs)

Oral Answers to Questions — Housing – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 26 Mehefin 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Sir Edward Keeling Sir Edward Keeling , Twickenham 12:00, 26 Mehefin 1947

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the inability of some owners of rent-restricted houses to pay for repairs at the present high costs, there is a danger of some localities becoming slums, and of some houses which are to be included in the Minister of Town and Country Planning's lists of buildings of historic or architectural interest becoming uninhabitable through decay; and what action he proposes to prevent this.

Photo of Mr Aneurin Bevan Mr Aneurin Bevan , Ebbw Vale

Legislation would be required to amend the Rent Restrictions Acts and I am afraid there is no prospect of this in the near future.

Photo of Sir Edward Keeling Sir Edward Keeling , Twickenham

Will the right hon. Gentleman make any suggestion in the meantime as to how those houses are to be repaired?

Photo of Mr Aneurin Bevan Mr Aneurin Bevan , Ebbw Vale

I would like the hon. Member to realise that it was for the first time in the history of Parliament that the Central Housing Advisory Committee was asked to report on the preservation of buildings of historical or antiquarian interest. If there are licences required for those buildings, licences would be forthcoming, but no public money can be found until Parliament has sanctioned it.

Photo of Mr Barnett Janner Mr Barnett Janner , Leicester West

Is it not a fact that for many years essential repairs, which have been paid for by tenants under the increase allowed under the Rent Acts, have not been put into operation, and is it not high time they undertook and performed the obligation required of them?

Photo of Sir Edward Keeling Sir Edward Keeling , Twickenham

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.