§ 57. Mr. TOUCHEasked the President of the Local Government Board on what grounds, from what quarter, and for what purpose he anticipated an expansion of demands for loans by the Public Works Loan Commissioners when he suggested that an additional £1,000,000 should be authorised; have the circumstances which led him to anticipate an exceptional demand now altered; and have any special purposes then in his mind been abandoned?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)It seemed to me, in view of the increased activity of local authorities in the matter of housing of the working classes, and in other directions, that it would be a wise precaution to allow some extra latitude 1004 to the National Debt Commissioners in respect of the sums which they might issue to the Public Works Loan Commissioners, and I have no reason to think that the circumstances have in any way changed.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs not that because the Treasury have placed every possible obstacle in the way of the Commissioners giving Grants for workmen's houses?
§ Mr. BURNSSo far as the building of houses for workmen is concerned, the ex-traordinary increase in the amount that was sanctioned for loans largely disposes of the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMThere has been no increase for England.