§ 84. Mr. LORT-W1LLIAMSasked the Minister of Health whether he is urging municipal authorities in congested districts, such as Bermondsey, to build more houses; whether he is aware that the number of houses and the population in that district are already far in excess of any standard which is considered healthy; whether any such increase will be a reactionary step contrary to any wise housing policy, and making more difficult all social reform connected with health, education, and environment; and whether he will inform such authorities that, in his opinion, their true policy is to reduce such numbers, improve the houses which remain, clear the slums, and house their surplus population in outlying districts?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe possibility of building new houses in a district like Bermondsey is, of course, limited, but I understand that the Borough Council have under consideration proposals for building some 325 houses, mainly on cleared sites. As the hon. Member is aware, the Housing 624 Act confers power upon the London County Council to build houses outside the county.