§ MR. FAWCETTasked the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, Whether, as it has been stated that the loss caused to the Metropolitan ratepayers by clearing six sites under "The Artizans and Labourers Dwelling Act, 1875," will be over £ 550,000, he can inform the House if any estimate has been formed of what will be the entire loss to the Metropolitan ratepayers from carrying out this Act in the Metropolis; whether any representation has been made by the Board to the Home Secretary with a view to such an amendment of the Act of 1875 as will diminish the cost of carrying it into operation; and, if such representation has been made, what was the reply received?
§ SIR JAMES M'GAREL-HOGGSir, it is impossible to say what will be the entire cost to the Metropolitan ratepayers of carrying out the Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Act, as there are many cases before the Board in respect of which schemes have not yet been prepared nor estimates made. Up to the present time, of 14 schemes approved by Parliament, the loss on the six sites referred to will be £ 562,061, while that on the remaining eight is estimated at £ 514,409, assuming that the prices received for land equal, and do not exceed, those already offered. The whole matter is under consideration by a Committee of the Board, who propose 303 to make a representation to the Secretary of State, with a view to an amendment of the Act.