§ 39. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Board have sanctioned financial assistance to a housing scheme at Crayford, Kent; and, if so, whether he can state particulars of the scheme showing the number of houses to be erected, the cost, charges, and rents?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am informed that the Public Works Loan Commissioners have granted a loan of £48,000 to the Crayford Cottage Society, Limited, towards the erection of 300 cottages at Crayford, Kent. The cost of the buildings, including cost of site, roads, etc., is estimated at £71,350, and the weekly rentals of the cottages at 7s. 6d. The rates and the cost of repairs are to be paid by the society. As the borrowers are a public utility society, it is not necessary for them to obtain the sanction of the Local Government Board before borrowing from the Public Works Loan Commissioners.
§ 40. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the estimated increase in the population of Erith owing to the demand for labour on Government work; whether he is aware of the difficulties of the housing question which have arisen in consequence; and whether any steps have been taken by the Board to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have no information that would enable me to give any reliable estimate of the increase in the population of Erith owing to the demand for labour on Government work. I am aware of the difficulties of the housing question which has arisen in this neighbourhood. The Government is providing 1,000 houses for persons of the working class in Woolwich, in addition to some temporary accommodation, and I understand that a housing society propose to provide a considerable number of houses in or near Erith itself. My hon. Friend no doubt realises the difficulties of dealing with a demand for housing accommodation, much of which will probably be only of a temporary character.