§ 1. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has as yet allocated to the various local authorities their proportion of the advances that will be made to supply the house shortage; and, if not, what Department is considering the needs of the various boroughs and urban district councils?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Major Astor)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The various local authorities have already been asked by the Local Government Board to ascertain the need for additional houses in their districts, and the majority of them have taken steps to do so. It will be one of the first duties of the Housing Commissioners proposed to be appointed by the Local Government Board to co-operate with the local authorities in this matter and to satisfy themselves as to the needs of their areas.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHave all the local authorities made demands for houses in excess of their absolute needs in order to ensure getting their exact quota?
§ Major ASTORNo. But the demands are being carefully scrutinised, and powers have been taken to stimulate the erection of houses.