HC Deb 22 September 1886 vol 309 cc1254-5
MR. OCTAVIUS MORGAN (Battersea)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the contemplated scheme for pulling down houses on the Cadogan Estate in Chelsea, to which his attention was recently drawn, Whether he is aware that more than 4,000 persons of the working classes will be displaced, and compelled to seek homes at a distance from their employment; and, whether he will con- sider the feasability of providing by Law that an adequate notice should be given to the persons affected by such schemes, and for compelling some accommodation to be made for at least a certain proportion of the persons displaced, within a moderate distance of their old homes?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

I am informed that provision will be made by Lord Cadogan for a large number of the working classes who will be displaced by the contemplated alterations on the Cadogan Estate at Chelsea, which will constitute a public improvement. The total number of persons of all classes who will be displaced is considerably below 4,000. The number of the working classes displaced is, of course, much lees. I will consider whether it is possible or expedient to interfere by law with dealings by a private owner with his own property.