HC Deb 25 July 1919 vol 118 cc1731-3

(1) The purposes referred to in Sub-section(1) of Section sixty-seven of the principal Act for which the Public Works Loan Commissioners may advance money on loan shall extend to the purchase of houses which may be made suitable as houses for the working classes and to the purchase and development of land by a public utility society.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Public Works Loans Act, 1875, or any Act amending that Act, where a loan is made by the Public Works Loan Commissioners under Section sixty-seven of the principal Act to a public utility society for the purpose of carrying out a scheme for the provision of houses for the working classes approved by the Board:

(c) During such period as may be specified by the Board, with the consent of the Treasury, the money advanced on heritable security on any land or dwellings solely shall not exceed seventy-five per cent. of the purchase price of the land and of the cost of its development and of the houses proposed to be burdened with the heritable security as certified by the Board; but advances may be made by instalments in respect of the purchase price of the land to be acquired and of the cost of its development, and in respect of the building of any house or houses on the land burdened with the heritable security as such building progresses, so that the total of the advances do not at any time exceed the amount aforesaid; and a heritable security may accordingly be made to secure advances so to be made from time to time.

Sir J. HOPE

I beg to move, at the end of Sub-section (1), to insert the words "or housing trusts."

I move this in order that housing trusts may be included in those societies to which loans may be advanced. The Secretary for Scotland has expressed his desire to help agricultural housing, and he suggested that, by means of public utility societies and housing trusts, it might be possible to improve rural housing. It is not quite certain yet whether agricultural housing will be best promoted by means of public utility societies or housing trusts, and my Amendment is simply to put the two on the same level with regard to loans.

Mr. SPEAKER

What is the difference between "housing trusts" and a "public utility society"? If it is a public utility society, there is no object in having it. If it is not a public utility society, but is something else, the hon. and gallant Gentleman is increasing the charge.

Sir J. HOPE

The definitions of "public utility society" and "housing trust" are contained in Regulations which are published by the Secretary for Scotland.

Mr. MUNRO

That is not quite an accurate statement. The definition of these respective societies is to be found in the Bill itself.

Sir J. HOPE

The heading to Clause 15 is Provisions for encouraging the Provision of Houses by Public Utility Societies and Housing Trusts, and otherwise. Does not that cover the inclusion of housing trusts in that and the subsequent Clauses?

Mr. SPEAKER

Those words are only descriptive of the Clauses that follow. What you want to look at is the Clauses themselves. This Clause must be limited to loans to public utility societies.

Amendments made: In Sub-section (2, c), at the beginning, insert the words "In the case of loans made."

After the word "period" ["during such period as may be specified"], insert the words "after the passing of this Act." — [Mr. Munro]

Mr. MUNRO

I beg to move, after the word "solely" ["on any land or dwelling solely"], to insert the words "may exceed two-thirds, but."

This is really a drafting Amendment. The Clause is intended to effect an amendment of Section 67, Sub-section (2, d), of the Housing Act of 1890, and that Act as amended by Section 4, Sub-section (1), of the Act of 1909. The operation of these Sections limits such loans in certain circumstances to two-thirds of the value, and it was thought desirable that the words of the Clause should fit in with the words of the Section which the Clause proposes to amend. It is for that formal purpose, and for no other, that I move the Amendment.

Mr. SPEAKER

It is really stating what is the law?

Mr. MUNRO

That is so.

Mr. G. MURRAY

Is this the same Amendment which was placed in the English Bill by the other House and disagreed with by this House two nights ago, because it reads in exactly the same way?

Mr. MUNRO

I do not think so. I cannot speak from definite recollection. I have looked into the matter, but I do not think it is the same Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.