§ 44. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to a report in the newspapers about the bad housing conditions in the Ware Street region, in Hoxton; if he is aware that for many of the houses in Ware Street no rent is charged on account of the bad condition of the houses and that about 600 houses in the same area 1321 were condemned as being unfit for human habitation as far back as 1914; and if he can state what action he intends taking in regard to these tumbledown, ramshackle, insanitary areas?
§ Sir A. MONDMy Department have under consideration a scheme, submitted by the London County Council under Part I of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, with reference to an area of 9 acres, including Ware Street. The proposal is to clear the area by stages and erect new blocks of dwellings for the working classes.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the Department prepared to make provision to give better facilities to local authorities for borrowing money, and at a cheaper rate than is insisted upon at the present time?
§ Sir A. MONDIf the bank rate goes down, I have no doubt the local authorities will get the advantage.
§ Dr. ADDISONTs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are 271,000 houses in the country which are similarly unfit for human habitation, and is he of opinion that these can be left to the play of economic forces?
§ Sir A. MONDMy right hon. Friend is aware that last year was the first time the scheme of financial assistance was introduced to enable my Department to make a beginning in dealing with these houses.
§ Dr. ADDISONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that under the existing Act of Parliament they are entitled to assistance for four years from now?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Member is travelling a long way from Ware Street, Hoxton.