HC Deb 28 February 1901 vol 90 cc53-4
DR. MACNAMARA

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether lie is prepared to accede to the request of the London County Council that in its scheme of repayment of loans contracted in connection with its housing schemes it may he permitted to take the value of the land wholly or in part out of the Kinking Fund, thus treating the value so excluded as an asset against debt.

The following question also appeared on the Paper:—

DR. MACNAMARA

To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is prepared to accede to the request of the London County Council that it may be permitted to spread the repayment of the loans contracted in connection with its housing schemes over a period of 100 years.

MR. WALTER LONG

Perhaps in replying to this question. I may be allowed also to answer that to my right hon. friend the First Lord of the Treasury, which stands in the name of the hon. Member. Proposals of the kind referred to in these questions were more than once discussed in this House last year in connection with the Bill for the Housing of the Working Classes. It clearly appeared that the sense of the House was adverse to them, and I am not now prepared to propose the legislation which would be necessary for carrying them into effect. In connection, however, with the very pressing question of the provision of housing accommodation for the working classes, I welcome any suggestions which may be made to me and will give them my most careful consideration.

MR. GRAY

Is it not the fact that the discussion on this question arose in the last and not in the present Parliament?

MR. WALTER LONG

Yes, but it was only last June.

DR. MACNAMARA

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing a Committee to see whether proposals might be made to deal with this pressing question.

MR. WALTER LONG

If that course seems desirable I shall not hesitate to recommend it to the House. I have issued circulars to the various local authorities in the country asking them to inform me what are the precise difficulties which stand in the way of carrying; out the Acts, and I would rather wait to receive their replies before I decide to appoint a Committee.

MR. LOUGH

Might not the period allowed for the repayment of the loan on the value of the land be extended?

MR. WALTER LONG

I am not quite sure whether the hon. Member is entitled to press the question. I have to consider whether we ought to treat the land as holding a permanent value when there is one section in the House which would be willing, by legislation, to depreciate its value.

MR. LOUGH

What ground has the right hon. Gentleman for saying that I entertain an opinion which would depreciate the value of the land, or of anything else, for that matter?

MR. WALTER LONG

I did not intend to cast any imputation on the hon. Member, but I understand the hon. Gentleman is one of those who favour the imposition of a special taxation on land, which certainly would not increase its value.

DR. MACNAMARA

When you get the replies from the local authorities will you state the effect to the House?

MR. WALTER LONG

I do not think I can make any promise to offer a statement. I am doing my best to bring about a solution of this very difficult question.