26. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health the number of houses now completed under the Housing Acts of 1919; the number in the course of construction; and the total number which will be erected when the Government's housing programme under the 1919 Acts is completed?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Alfred Mond)The number of houses completed by local authorities, public utility societies and private builders under the State-aided housing schemes on the 1st June was 149,207; and in addition 3,079 dwellings had been provided by the conversion of huts and hostels. The number of houses in course of construction by local authorities and public utility societies is 40,970, and preliminary certificates have been issued to private builders for 8,846 houses which, to qualify for subsidy, must be completed by 23rd instant. The total number of 343 houses to be erected by local authorities and public utility societies under the scheme is 176,000, to which must be added some 40,000 houses to be built by private builders.
Mr. THOMSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say what further steps the Government propose to take to provide the balance of the half million houses promised at the last Election?
§ Sir A. MONDI made a speech on the subject yesterday, and my hon. Friend made a long speech, to which, later, I may have some opportunity of replying.