asked the Minister for Local Government the dates on which he addressed the circulars regarding the provision of sites for private housing to local authorities referred to in a reply of 30th October, 1962, and the text of the principal circular letter; if he will arrange to send copies of these important local government recommendations to members of county council housing authorities; and whether the provisions of the County Management Act, 1955, may be used by members of local authorities to require County Managers to provide sites under the Housing Act, 1952.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sites for Private Housing.
63.
The two most recent circular letters which referred to the desirability of housing authorities providing sites for private housing were dated the 14th May and 12th October, 1960, and I am arranging to have copies of these sent to the Deputy.
Both letters deal with other aspects of housing administration as well as with the subject now in question. As an alternative to the Deputy's suggestion that copies be sent to the members of county councils, I am asking the secretaries and clerks of housing authorities to send their members extracts from the letters containing the recommendations in question. I may add that in a letter of 11th August, 1960, which I sent to the then recently elected members of local authorities, I stressed the desirability of encouraging private persons to build their own houses by the provision of all facilities available under the Housing Acts.
With regard to a resolution by a local authority under Section 4 of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955, I have no function in relation to a specific resolution unless and until a dispute arises and is referred to me under subsection (10), but I may say that the validity of such a resolution would depend on its wording.