§ 49. Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that in 1668 Standing Committee A on Thursday last, on the Motion of the hon. Member in charge of the measure, the Bill for the better housing of the working classes was withdrawn from consideration; and if, in view of this loss of a measure which passed Second Reading by a majority of 150, he intends to make Government proposals to the House to deal with the admitted evils with which the Bill in question was concerned?
§ 52. Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that Standing Committee A has unanimously decided that the Government's refusal to provide any Grant in aid of housing reform renders it futile to proceed further with the Housing of the Working Classes Bill, he intends to bring forward any proposals of any sort this Session for the better housing of the working classes?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis question has for some time past been receiving close attention, but it is impossible for the Government to introduce proposals in the present Session.
§ Viscount WOLMERIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that housing reform is very much more needed than Home Rule or Welsh Disestablishment?
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYMay we conclude that the Government is opposed to, the policy of direct intervention in the housing question or to Grants-in-Aid?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo such inference can be drawn from the answer.
§ Mr. LONGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Local Government Board on the occasion referred to in the question stated definitely not only that he, as representing the Government, was opposed to any Grant-in-Aid, but that in the opinion of the Government a Grant-in-Aid would retard rather than advance housing reform?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know for certain what was said by my right hon. Friend, but I should imagine what he said was directed to the proposals of this particular Bill?
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYMay we take it that the Government is not necessarily committed to his view?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, my hon. Friend may not take it. The Government have an open mind on the subject.
§ Mr. AINSWORTHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement of the President of the Local Government Board at the meeting of the Committee, of which I was a member, was exactly on the same lines as his speech in this House when the Bill was carried by a large majority, and sent upstairs? Is he also aware that it was withdrawn at the request of the promoters of the Bill?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member appears to be giving information.
§ 63. Mr. JOHN WARDasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the report of Dr. Bennett, the medical officer to the Hayfield and Mellor Rural District Council, as to the unhealthy and insanitary housing accommodation of the district and the continued ravages of scarlet fever and diphtheria amongst the adults of the districts, and more especially the children attending school; and what action, if any, he proposes to take to end this state of affairs?
§ Mr. BURNSMy attention has been called to the report referred to and I am in correspondence with the district council on the subject.