§ Mr. W. R. Duckworthasked the Minister of Health whether he will suggest to local authorities, in connection with slum-clearance work, especially in the rural areas, the desirability of calling in architects to advise on possible reconditioning before any demolition order is sanctioned?
§ Mr. ElliotThe Central Housing Advisory Committee have recently considered the administration of the statutory provisions relating to the demolition of unfit houses and have made various suggestions for changes in procedure to ensure that the possibilities of reconditioning are fully explored before an order for demolition becomes operative. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the circular on the subject which I hope shortly to issue to local authorities. I have, moreover, impressed on local authorities 3121W the importance of securing skilled technical advice not only in connection with the preparation and execution of their own building schemes but also in the consideration of schemes of reconditioning with assistance under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, and have pointed out in circulars and pamphlets I have issued that architects' fees may be included by owners in the cost of the works for which assistance is claimed. The Rural Housing Manual which I published a few months ago contains a large section devoted entirely to reconditioning.