HC Deb 05 August 1914 vol 65 cc2021-4

(1) The Local Government Board shall have power, with the approval of the Treasury, to make arrangements with any authorised society within the meaning of this Act for the purpose of the provision, maintenance, and management of dwellings and gardens and other works or buildings for or for the convenience of persons employed by or on behalf of Government Departments on Government works, where sufficient dwelling accommodation is not available for those persons, and the Commissioners of Works shall have power for the same purpose, with the consent of the Treasury, given after consultation with the Local Government Board, to acquire and dispose of land and buildings, and to build dwellings, and do all other things which appear to them necessary or desirable for effecting that purpose.

(2) The Local Government Board may, with the approval of the Treasury, assist any authorised society with whom arrangements are made under this Act on such conditions as they think fit by becoming holders of the share or loan capital thereof or making loans thereto or otherwise as they think fit.

Where the Local Government Board make arrangements under this Act with any authorised society in connection with the provision or maintenance of dwellings within any borough, the council of the borough shall have the like power, with the approval of the Local Government Board, of assisting the society as the Local Government Board have under this Act with the approval of the Treasury.

Any expenses incurred by the council under this provision shall be defrayed in the same manner as expenses of the council under Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890; and the council shall have the like power to borrow for the purpose of this provision as they have for the purposes of that part of that Act.

5.0 P.M.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

I bog formally to move, at the beginning of the Clause, to insert the words "On receiving notice of a resolution of any local authority as hereinafter defined requesting them so to do."

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

I understand that there is a general feeling that we should take this Clause, the immediate object of which is for the housing of Government employés at Rosyth and possibly other places. Clause 1 has been postponed, as was indicated it would be on the first occasion. Under the circumstances in which we find ourselves I shall be prepared to go on with Clauses 2, 3, and 4, subject to making certain Amendments, so that we may take out such money as may be required to at once make places for Government employés, whose cases will shortly, no doubt, become urgent.

Mr. H. W. FORSTER

I think the selection which the right hon. Gentleman has made is one to which we can agree, though there may be a word or two to be said in connection with certain points in the Clauses.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr. C. BATHURST

I beg to move, in Sub-section (1), after the word "Treasury" ["approval of the Treasury"], to insert the words "and with the concurrence of the local authority as hereinafter defined."

I think the Government gave notice that they would make some suggestion on this point.

Dr. MACNAMARA dissented.

Mr. C. BATHURST

I do not desire to raise the question, but I wish to know whether the Government desire to restrict the provisions of the Clause only to those actually employed "on Government works," or whether they are prepared to leave out the words "on Government works," so as to extend the operation of the Act to all persons in Government employ, because some of the worst cases in regard to housing of Government servants are among those who are employed continuously.

Dr. MACNAMARA

I will consider that point and, if necessary, make an Amendment in another place. I hope the hon. Member will not press his Amendment.

Mr. FORSTER

I am not quite sure that the words of the Amendment as they stand are not too narrow, and do not allow the Government to do that which the whole House think they should be able to do.

Dr. MACNAMARA

On the Second Reading it was pointed out that the words "on behalf of Government works," would be too narrow an interpretation, but I see no reason whatever why we should not put in, "on any Government works," "or any Government establishments."

Mr. C. BATHURST

That does not meet my point. The right hon. Gentleman has appealed to me, however, not to press this Amendment in existing circumstances, and I should be the last to do so. I hope, however, that the right hon. Gentleman will give the matter consideration in another place.

Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

Has the Government under this Bill taken powers to over-ride the provisions of the Public Health Act?

Dr. MACNAMARA

We act under the existing law.

The CHAIRMAN

That point does not arise here.

Mr. C. BATHURST

I ask leave to withdraw my Amendment, and I hope that my colleagues will follow my example.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr. HAYES FISHER

I beg to move, in Sub-section (1), after the "word "dwellings" ["and to build dwellings"], to insert the words, "by contract but not otherwise."

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is contemplated to build these houses as much as possible under local contracts, a system which has one or two very great advantages. In the first place, it is much more likely that local labour will be employed in the different places where these dwellings are erected instead of a great central Department sending people down from London. In the second place, it would be more economical and would prevent a large staff of inspectors being set up by the Department. I think it is most desirable that the work should be done by contract. I do not wish, however, to put any impediment in the way of the Bill passing in its present form.

Dr. MACNAMARA

I take it that the Office of Works would, as a rule, put this work under contract, and I hope the right hon. Gentleman will not tie our hands, and will not press his Amendment.

Mr. HAYES FISHER

I stated that I was not pressing the Amendment, and I only desire to express my opinion that it would be desirable in many cases to proceed by way of contract.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Is it not necessary to also strike out the second and third paragraphs of Sub-section (2) at the end of the Clause? They do not appear to me to have anything to do with the matter.

Dr. MACNAMARA

I will take note of what the Noble Lord has pointed out, and, as I have stated, any consequential Amendments which may be found to be necessary will be looked into.

Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.