§ MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has given permission to the Metropolitan Board of Works to commence the second section of the new street from the Holborn Town Hall to the Angel, Clerkenwell; and, if so, under what conditions?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Yes. Sir; I have given the permission in question. The conditions under which my assent was given were communicated on February 11 of this year to the Board, and were—
That the Board should undertake not to pull down any houses occupied by persons of the labouring class, nor to remove the occupiers of the houses, and should also undertake to maintain such houses in a condition fit for occupation, and permit them to be occupied on change of tenants until certain new dwellings erected on sections 1 and 2 of the improvement were completed fit for occupation.
§ MR. ATHERLEY-JONES (Durham, N.W.)asked, whether it was obligatory on the Home Secretary to give a certificate of sufficiency of accommodation before the notices of eviction were given by the Board?
§ MR. MATTHEWSreplied, that that was not required by the statute, as he read it. The intermediate works had not been withdrawn from his control.
§ MR. J. ROWLANDSasked, whether the right hon. Gentleman had any idea when the new block of buildings would be completed?
§ MR. MATTHEWSasked for Notice of the Question.
§ MR. ATHERLEY-JONESinquired, whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that those people were under notice of removal, and were liable to be turned out of their homes in three weeks from this time; and, whether the Government would take any measures to secure adequate accommodation for them?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThis is a very complicated scheme, and I cannot undertake to answer the Question. I must, therefore, ask for Notice of the Question, and that the hon. Member should point out the specific cases to which he refers.