HC Deb 13 January 1913 vol 46 cc1682-3
92. Mr. BARNES

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been directed to the housing conditions of the small holders on the Winter-bourne Zelstone estate under the Dorset County Council; and if he will order an inquiry with a view to the demolition of such houses as may be found to be unfit for human habitation and their replacement by safe and sanitary houses at the cost of the county rate, so as to compensate the tenants for being charged for useless expenditure by the county council?

Mr. BURNS

My attention has been directed to this matter, and formal consent was given last month to the borrowing by the Dorset County Council of sums amounting to £920 for the provision of two new cottages and for a number of repairs and improvements on the estate.

Mr. BARNES

Will this excess cost fall upon these poor people, who are already burdened by the county council?

Mr. BURNS

No. The usual loan will be granted to the local authority, as in ordinary cases, for the building of cottages and the putting of cottages in repair.

Mr. BARNES

Will these cottages be given to the tenants as substitutes for those for which money has been spent already in the discharge of their rent?

Mr. BURNS

The hon. Member must give me notice.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Is not £900 a very large sum for the building of two cottages?

Mr. BURNS

Yes, but there is to be proper repairs for the others, as the hon. Member will see when he reads the answer.