§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the Doncaster Corporation applied to the Local Government Board for permission to borrow £31,500 for the erection of 138 working-class dwellings, and that the application was refused; and whether he will consider the advisability of providing local authorities with greater power in spending ratepayers' money without the intervention of the Board?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)As a result of pressure from the Board, proposals were submitted by the Corporation of Doncaster with a view to carrying out the housing obligations imposed upon them by the Doncaster Local Acts of 1904 and 1908, under which a large number of working-class dwellings had been demolished. The proposals were carefully considered, and a local inquiry held at which considerable opposition was manifested to the proposals, including opposition from the Doncaster Trades and Labour Council. The Board have refused to sanction the proposals on the ground that the site is not suitable, and that it would be difficult to use it for the erection of houses for the working classes in such a manner as would secure healthy conditions for the occupants of the houses. The Board have requested the Corporation to submit amended proposals for the erection of houses on some other site, and the Corporation propose to take this course. I am sure the hon. Member would agree with me in thinking that a low-lying site of about seven acres, difficult of access, and enclosed on one side by the River Don, on another by a railway on an embankment, and on another by a lofty viaduct, can scarcely be regarded as an ideal site for housing the working classes, and that the moral of the story is scarcely that which he suggests.