§ 31. Mr. A. SHORTasked the Minister of Health whether the Upton Urban District Council and the Darlaston Urban District Council, respectively, had submitted housing schemes; and, if so, what was their nature?
§ Mr. PARKERMy right hon. Friend presumes that the hon. Member intended to refer to the Tipton Urban District Council. Schemes have been submitted to the Housing Commisioner both by that council and the Darlaston Urban District Council. The Commissioner has inspected eight sites at Tipton and provisionally approved them, subject to settlement of a reasonable price; at Darlaston eight sites 12 have been inspected and six provisionally approved, subject to the same condition. Satisfactory arrangements as to price have not yet been made in either case. In the meantime, the Commissioner has had under consideration the proposals for the lay-out of the sites and design of the houses, and suggestions for amendment of the plans have been made to the councils. My right hon. Friend is making inquiries with a view to ascertaining whether a settlement of the purchase of the sites by agreement can be expedited.
§ Mr. SHORTCan the hon. Member tell us how many houses are involved, and whether there is any evidence to prove that the building of these houses has been held up?
§ Mr. PARKERI cannot tell the hon. Member how many houses are involved in these schemes, but it is obvious that they are being held up because of the price of the land for the moment, whatever other reasons there may be.