§ 65. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Westminster City Council have not prepared a scheme for the erection of houses for the working classes as required by the Housing, Town Planning, &c, Act, 1919, but have only submitted a survey; whether it is a fact that he has acquiesced in the decision of the Westminster City Council not to prepare and carry out a housing scheme; if so, whether the reason for this acquiescence is that the price for land in Westminster is prohibitive; whether this, in effect, means that there will be no housing scheme for Westminster at any time, as the price of land in Westminster will always remain high; whether he is aware that the lack of a housing scheme in Westminster will result in the working classes in the district migrating to other boroughs which are carrying out schemes; that, in consequence, these other boroughs will be compelled to bear expense which ought to be borne by Westminster; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will approach the Westminster City Council as to the necessity for a housing scheme being prepared and carried out?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have carefully considered the position of the Westminster City Council in relation to the execution of a housing scheme, and am satisfied that in their case, as in that of some other authorities in the already crowded areas of the Metropolis, the erection of houses within their area would be so expensive that the proper course is for the need to be met by the provision of houses outside the area. The expenditure on such a scheme will form part of the county council's assisted scheme, and any loss will fall equally on all the Metropolis as a whole, and will be limited, for all housing schemes, to a 1d. rate.