HC Deb 16 March 1939 vol 345 cc589-91
68. Dr. Edith Summerskill

asked the Minister of Health whether the reports of the surveys on housing and public health made by his inspectors in Wales, correspond with the report recently published on the incidence of tuberculosis in Wales?

Mr. Elliot

Yes, Sir. Reports have been received from time to time drawing attention to deficiencies in the public health services and in the housing arrangements in Wales, and, broadly speaking, these correspond with the report recently presented.

Dr. Summer-skill

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the fact that in this report a local government official gave evidence that certain very important works had been postponed for 40 years; and why has not the Minister taken action, either to force the county council to supersede the smaller authorities, or, in default, to see that the Ministry do the work themselves?

Mr. Elliot

I think the next question in the name of the hon. Lady relates to that point.

Mr. James Griffith

Since we are agreed that the revelations in this report had already been revealed to his Ministry by his inspectors, how does the right hon. Gentleman account for the fact that the Ministry have taken no action?

Mr. Elliot

The next question in the name of the hon. Lady deals with the report.

69. Dr. Summerskill

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the recent report on tuberculosis in Wales and the revelation of the low standard of housing, he will take steps to make the appropriate county authorities take over the duties of the defaulting boroughs and submit a rehousing scheme for families living in overcrowded conditions?

Mr. Elliot

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the recommendations contained in this report. As the hon. Member will realise, the report covers a great deal of ground and is at present under consideration. In the first place, I am asking the Welsh Board of Health and local authorities in Wales for their observations. Meanwhile I am sure the House would like me to express the gratitude of all of us to the members of the committee, including one of our Parliamentary colleagues, who have devoted so much time and attention to the investigation of these questions, and have produced so striking a report.

Dr. Summerskill

Does not the Minister think that, in view of the fact that these inquiries have covered a period of two years, and that much of the work of rehousing is of such an urgent character, he ought to take action immediately?

Mr. Elliot

It is clear that the report in several respects calls attention to the work of local authorities, and I think it is desirable that local authorities whose actions have been questioned should have an opportunity of making representations.

Dr. Summerskill

Will the right hon. Gentleman direct his attention to those parts which are described as being of such a shocking character that they are even worse than the slums of Shanghai; and would he direct his personal attention to ameliorating the conditions in these particular places?

Mr. Elliot

Yes, I have already done so. The rural housing conditions in Wales, as the hon. Lady may be aware, were the subject of a good deal of attention, and last Summer I went round the local authorities' areas myself and had special conferences to draw their attention to the exceptionally favourable terms now offered for rural re-housing.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Since I gather from the previous reply that the right hon. Gentleman's own inspectors have reported these conditions to the Ministry, and we know what these conditions are—and they are appalling—can he explain why no action was taken on the report of his inspectors before the report was published?

Mr. Elliot

Yes, Sir. On certain things action was taken, such as improving conditions for rural housing, but as for the rest of the matter, I have made repeated representations to the local authorities.

Mr. Griffiths

Since it is obvious that they have not carried out these representations, what other action is the Minister going to adopt?

Sir Francis Fremantle

Is it not rather early to expect local authorities to have done much under the Rural Housing Act which was passed only 12 months ago?