§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Minister of Health whether it is possible to arrange for the housing subsidy for new houses which is given to local authorities to be extended to 1924, so as to place England and Wales on the same footing as Scotland?
34. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Health whether the Government is prepared to grant to English and Welsh local authorities exactly the same terms and conditions as regards the extended period during which houses must be completed in order to qualify for financial assistance as those specified in the Scottish Board of Health Order, No. 944, issued on 6th May, 1921?
§ Sir A. MONDI am satisfied that Article III of the Local Authorities (Assisted Housing Scheme) Regulations, 1919, administered in the light of the assurances which I have already given, will have the same effect as the Scottish Regulations referred to, and that the issue of further Regulations is unnecessary.
Mr. THOMSONWill the right hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of my question, where it is specifically asked whether the conditions of Order No. 944, which gives the Scottish local authorities the right to extend the period till 1924, without the option of the Minister intervening, will apply to English local authorities, so that they will not be dependent on the option of the Minister?
§ Sir A. MONDI have already stated repeatedly, in reply to questions of this character, that the English authorities will be treated on similar lines to the Scottish authorities, but I see no reason for adopting the Scottish formula for the English administration.
Mr. THOMSONDo I understand that the English authorities will have the right under any circumstances to have the period extended till 1924, as the Scottish authorities have?
§ Sir A. MONDNo. The English authorities will have the right to have the period extended if they can show that it is not due to their fault that they have not completed their programmes by the date on which they ought to be completed. I do not propose to give extensions if the authorities have been negligent in going on and carrying out their work.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYIs not this differentiation due to the fact that the Scottish local authorities have been better able to look after their own business?