HC Deb 20 March 1922 vol 152 cc42-3
75. Mr. MALONE

asked whether there is any fund from which assistance can be given to specially necessitous areas, such as the area covered by the West Ham Board of Guardians, which are outside the Metropolitan area and therefore can derive no benefit from the Metropolitan Common Fund, and are now in very urgent need of financial assistance?

Sir A. MOND

The Government are assisting necessitous areas by enabling them to raise loans to meet their abnormal expenditure on relief, and an application by the guardians of the West Ham Union for sanction to borrow a sum of £300,000 for this purpose is now before me and will be dealt with within the next few days.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, assuming that the loan to the West Ham Board of Guardians is £300,000, the poor rate will be 4s. 6d. in the £?

Sir A. MOND

I am not aware of that.

Mr. MALONE

Does the right hon. Gentleman understand that these boards of guardians were never intended to deal with this phenomenal industrial situation, and will he take special steps to deal with particularly poor districts, such as the West Ham area?

Sir A. MOND

I have in my reply indicated the steps which the Government are taking.

Mr. THORNE

Is there any possibility of extending the loan to a period of more than five years, on account of the heavy obligations of the West Ham Council?

Sir A. MOND

I will consider that when the terms of the loan come before me.