§ 40. Mr. CHARLES WHITEasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the shortage of houses in the Bakewell rural district area, especially in the Hathenage district; whether he has inquired into the case of Mrs. J. T. Wiggett, who was ejected from her house on an order of the Bakewell magistrates at the instance of the Bake-well Rural District. Council; whether he is aware that Mrs. Wiggett and her seven children have had to seek refuge in the Bakewell Union Workhouse; that another child is expected shortly; and that there are many houses in Hathenage occupied occasionally as week-end houses; and whether some steps can be taken to provide the woman with a temporary home so that her child shall not be born in the union?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware of the shortage of houses in the district referred to. I understand that in the particular case mentioned by the hon. Member, the house was reported by the Medical Officer of Health as unfit for 2037 habitation as long ago as March, 1921, and that the operation of closing and ejectment orders has been postponed from time to time until the 26th March, 1923. No appeal against the closing order was made to me by the owner, and the case is consequently not one in which I have any jurisdiction, but I shall be glad to consider any scheme that may be placed before me by the Rural District Council in question for alleviating housing conditions in the district.
§ Mr. WHITEWill the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the rural district council, inasmuch as this was before this House 18 months ago, on my question, and nothing has been done?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not think it should be necessary for me to make any representations, as there is no doubt that the rural district council will in due course put their proposals before me.