§ 89. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been directed to the report of Dr. Webb to the Kingsbridge (Devon) Rural District Council, where he stated that one-eighth of the cottages in the district were unfit for human habitation, but that there was nowhere for the people to go if these were condemned; that a discussion took place, but no action was taken by the council; and what action he intends to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BURNSI have not yet received the Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the Kingsbridge Rural District for the year 1912, and the latest Report in my possession did not indicate the existence of any such unsatisfactory conditions as to render necessary action on my part. I will look into the matter.
§ 90. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the report of the Medical Officer of Health for the Sedgefield Rural District Council in respect to houses at Trimdon. Grange and Trimdon Colliery, where he states that after inspection of sixty-three houses he found all but six unfit for human habitation on account of bad sanitation and ventilation, and recommended to the council that closing orders should be 1945 issued and that the council should erect new dwellings for the people displaced, and that the rural district council resolved to apply for closing orders but referred the question of the erection of new cottages to the Trimdon Sanitary Committee; and whether he will state what steps have been taken to accommodate the tenants thus displaced?
§ Mr. BURNSThe council decided in January last to build twenty-five houses, and applied to the Local Government Board for sanction to a loan for the purpose, but they have not yet furnished the particulars necessary before the application can be further dealt with. I am sending a further letter to them on the subject.
§ 91. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to a special report of the housing committee appointed by the Ramsbury (Wilts) Rural District Council, which states that, out of fifty-two cottages in the village of Axford, ten have one bedroom only, whilst only seven have three bedrooms; that five cottages are overcrowded, three unfit for habitation, seven are dilapidated, and twenty-six need general repairs; and that, while the Ramsbury Rural District Council admit the need for more cottages, they have decided to defer action in regard to building; and whether he intends to take any steps in the matter?
§ Mr. BURNSI have been in communication with the Ransbury Rural District Council in regard to the need for the erection of cottages in Axford for some time, and on the 31st ultimo the chairman had an interview at the Local Government Board in regard to it. The matter will not be lost sight of.
§ 92. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been directed to the report of the medical officer of health for Cornwall, in which he states that the problem of consumption is largely the problem of housing, yet bad housing is suffered to continue; that housing in Cornwall constitutes one of the greatest barriers to sanitary progress; that many cottages have no back yards and no sanitary conveniences; that many local authorities have not yet adopted housing schemes where it has clearly been their duty to do so; that Dr. Burnet further reports a dearth of houses in eight of the sixteen rural districts of the county, 1946 namely, Boscastle, Camelford, Liskeard, St. Colomb, St. Austell, Truro, East Kerrier, and West Penwith, whilst it is stated in regard to the Bodmin rural district area that many houses should be condemned absolutely, as they render their occupants much disposed to phthisis; and whether he will state what action, if any, has been taken with regard to these areas?
§ Mr. BURNSI have seen the report for 1911 refered to, and note that the county medical officer of health is fully alive to the powers of the county council under Sections 10, etc., of the Housing, Town Planning, Etc., Act, 1909. I am keeping an eye on these districts in connection with the reports of the local medical officers of health for 1912, which I am now receiving, and I am with the county medical officer of health in hoping that it may not be necessary for the county council to use their powers under the Sections.
§ Mr. C. DUNCANCan the right hon. Gentleman bring pressure to bear upon these local authorities?