§ 61. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the liabilities, both capital and annual, that will be assumed by the State in connection with the Government housing scheme?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe State's liability for housing depends on the cost of building, the number of houses built by local authorities public utility societies and private builders (under subsidy arrangements) respectively, the rent charged, and other uncertain factors. I am, therefore, not able at present to give any estimate of the liability incurred, but it will undoubtedly be very heavy.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a very general impression abroad that the finance of the Government housing scheme is thoroughly unsound?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would not undertake to say how many accurate and inaccurate general impressions are abroad.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan my right hon. Friend say, if houses are to cost £1,000 or £1,200 to build, how they are going to be let at anything like an economic rental to any workman in the land?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINWould it not be more useful if my right hon. Friend, who obviously has a better scheme in his mind, would communicate it to the Government?