§ 24. Mr. ROYDSasked whether, in view of the fact that in the year 1905–6 the number of dwelling-houses in Great Britain under the annual value of £20 increased by 112,838, and that the average annual increase in the four succeeding years was over 80,000, he will explain why the increase in the number of such houses in the year 1910–11 was only 10,651; and whether, having regard to the urgency of the housing problem, he will cause an immediate inquiry to be made into the subject?
§ Mr. MASTERMANMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The figures given by the hon. Member are in accordance with the House Duty returns in the last report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. The fall in the rate of increase is very largely due to the fact that 1910–11 was a year of new valuation—the first since 1903–4. Somewhat similar falls have invariably followed the periodical revision of the assessments.
§ Mr. ROYDSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the building of cottages and small houses was arrested simultaneously with the passing of the "People's Budget," and does he not know there is some connection?
§ Mr. WEDGWOODHas not the boom in trade also followed upon the "People's Budget"?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIn reply to the hon. Member (Mr. Royds), I may say I have very great difficulty in accepting the hon. Member's deductions, because since the Budget was introduced, there has been a steady decline in unemployment in the building trade. Last year the unemployment in the building trade was lower than at any time during the present century.
§ Mr. ROYDSAre not the facts and figures I have given, in view of the urgency of the housing problem, sufficiently startling to justify some explanation and inquiry?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think the subject an interesting one; I am having some inquiries made, and if the hon. Member will put down a question in a few days' time, I will see if I cannot give him the information.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWhy not submit it to the Colonies?