§ 11. Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the First Commis- 1476 sioner of Works the estimated expenditure involved in the reconstruction of the area in Silvertown destroyed by the recent explosion?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)One hundred and thirty thousand pounds.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the expenditure of this very large sum of money is justified when it perpetuates conditions so gravely prejudicial to the public health?
§ Sir A. MONDThe expenditure of this money was necessary for the rehousing of a population that had no other place to go to at the time. Undoubtedly it would be very much more agreeable to me to reconstruct and rebuild in a very much better way a garden city somewhere else, but that is impossible during the War.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKBut does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the expenditure of this money in such a way is to perpetuate the evil?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Noble Lord must ask his question, but not use h as a means of making statements.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKI beg to give notice that I will draw attention to this matter on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. STEWARTWhat would be the position of the local authorities if the houses are not fit for human habitation?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. BILLINGCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House the names of the owners of the factory property and private property involved?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of this question. The hon. Member must give notice?