§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the conditions and restrictions placed upon the erection of cottages by the District Councils render it practically impossible to build them; and will he state by what rules the Local Government Board are guided in approving the. bye-laws proposed by these Councils.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. COCHRANE,) Ayrshire, N.My right hon. friend has asked me to answer the question in his absence. I am not aware that the building of cottages has become a practical impossibility owing to the conditions and restrictions imposed by District Councils, but my attention has 873 been drawn to some cases where difficulty has been experienced on account of the requirements of the building bye-laws in force. In approving bye-laws with respect to new buildings, the Local Government Board are chiefly concerned to see that they are such as the local authority may legally make, and are sufficient to secure proper conditions, especially as regards stability and sanitation. I am not in a position to state what bye-laws are needed in particular districts. The responsibility rests with the District Conned in each instance of determining what bye-laws they will propose. Notice is given in the district by advertisements before bye-laws are confirmed, and any objections made to me with regard to them would have my careful consideration. I may add that I have recently issued a mo, titled code of model bye-laws for use in rural districts which are specially suited for these districts, and from which are omitted certain requirements usually in force in urban districts.