§ 79. Mr. J. WARDasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will make inquiries into the house accommodation for the navvies and labourers employed upon the coke ovens at Ebbw Vale, and take such steps as he may think desirable to end the nuisance of workmen being obliged to sleep out through lack of accommodation?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I have recently been in communication with the local authority in regard to the housing accommodation for persons of the working classes in the Ebbw Vale district, and 489 I was informed on 28th January that 102 houses for the working classes have been completely erected during 1912, and that 135 more are in course of erection now. I will communicate further with the local authority in regard to the question of my hon. Friend.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Ebbw Vale and the adjoining valleys the scarcity of housing accommodation is due to His Majesty's Government having refused to make loans under the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890?
§ Mr. BURNSThe right hon. Gentleman should address his question to the Public Works Loans Commissioners. It does not come within my Department.