§ 61. Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the increased expenditure incurred by county boroughs and urban sanitary authorities in the carrying out of schemes for the better housing of the working classes since the commencement of the War on account of the higher rate of interest charged by the Treasury on loans granted for the purpose and the increased cost of materials owing to war conditions; whether he is aware that, in the case of a housing scheme recently completed by the Blackrock Urban District Council, for which a loan of about £21,000 was sanctioned by the Local Government Board about the commencement of the War and the money advanced by the Treasury, the higher rate of interest charged on the loan, together with the increased price of materials, represents a charge on the rates of close on £200 per annum for a period of sixty years over and above what the cost of the scheme would have been at the pre-war rate of interest and cost of materials; and, seeing that any addition to the rents at which the houses are now let to meet this extra cost would be prohibitive, whether provision will be made by the Government in the proposed scheme for national housing after the War by which a money Grant would be made available to relieve the increased burden imposed on the local ratepayers by reason of the War in this and similar cases throughout Ireland, so that those public authorities who have realised their obligation in regard to the better housing of the working classes would be at least in no worse position than others who have deferred action in a matter of such vital importance to the welfare of so large a section of the community?
§ Mr. DUKEExcept in Dublin, only a few small loans have been granted to urban authorities in Ireland for housing purposes since the outbreak of the War, and these were granted at a slight increase on the rate of interest for loans made prior to the War. The cost of materials has also increased owing to the War conditions. I am informed that the consequent increase chargeable in the case of the Blackrock Urban District Council, to which the hon. Member refers, is about £180 per annum. As to the last inquiry in the question, I would refer to my answer to a question by the hon. Member on the 22nd October.
§ Mr. FIELDWill the right hon. Gentleman give further consideration, as this is a very peculiar case, and will he let me have a copy of that reply?