§ 23. Mr. MARDY JONESasked the. Minister of Health what is the total number of houses sanctioned for building under the Housing Act, 1923, up to the 31st December, 1923; what is the total number of houses of each type of house so sanctioned; how many of each type are being built by local housing authori- 727 ties and by private builders; and will he show separately the equivalent data for each of the local housing authorities in the counties of Glamorgan, Monmouth-shire and Carmarthenshire?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe total number of houses authorised under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, up to the 31st December last, was 85,036, of which 31,434 are to be erected by local authorities and 53,602 by private builders. Figures are not available showing the numbers of each type so authorised, but contracts had been let by local authorities at the date in question for 11,993 non-parlour houses and 3,966 parlour houses. Of the houses to be, erected by private enter- prise certificates had been issued by local authorities or contracts entered into by societies, companies and trustees proceeding under Section 3 of the Act, in respect of 9,567 non-parlour and 15,262 parlour houses, and in 3,395 cases the type is not known. I will send the hon. Member a statement giving the information referred to in the last part of his question.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEIs it not a fact that during the year ending on the 31st December, 1923, the largest number of houses was erected of any year since 1913?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYIf the hon. Member refers to houses erected under the Act of 1923, I am quite sure he is mistaken.
§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODArising out of the important statement which the right hon. Gentleman has made as to the number of houses built by private enterprise, may the House take it that the right hon. Gentleman will fully encourage the building of more houses by private enterprise in this country?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI think the hon. Member may rely on my doing that, but let me assure him that I would enter into it with more enthusiasm if the houses were being erected for the people who really need accommodation.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir JOSEPH NALLIn view of the fact that many of these authorised houses have not yet been started, is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to deal with those people who are deliberately retarding the building of houses?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not the time for debate. We cannot debate the matter now.
§ 25. Mr. CLIMIEasked the Minister of Health the number of houses of which plans have been approved by local authorities under the 1923 Housing Act, the numbers of those approved plans of houses which are being built by local authorities, and the number by private enterprise; and if he will give the number approved under sections of the Act to enable the working population to become owners of their own houses?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYUp to the 1st instant approval has been given by the Minister of Health to schemes proposed by local authorities for 95,715 houses, of which 33,994 are to be erected by local authorities and 61,721 by private enterprise. In respect of the houses to be erected by the local authorities themselves, contracts have been entered into covering 18,687 houses. As regards the houses to be erected by private enterprise, certificates have been issued, on the approval of plans, for 36,543 houses. Since the passing of the Act of 1923, loans amounting to £2,153,595 have been sanctioned to local authorities for the purpose of making advances to prospective owner-occupiers or to persons undertaking the erection of houses. Figures as to the numbers of houses to be built for owner-occupiers are not available, but it, may be taken that the majority of the houses proposed to be provided by private enterprise are to be built for sale.
§ Mr. BECKERHas the right hon. Gentleman sufficient information with regard to the numbers of bricklayers that will be available to build these houses. and does he think that there are sufficient?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat. question should be put on the Paper.