64. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that since the introduction of his Housing Bill the representatives of over 300 local authorities, representing the chief cities and towns in the country, assembled in conferences at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Manchester, Sheffield, London, Bristol, and Cardiff, have in all cases unanimously passed resolutions protesting against the subsidy being limited to the small type of houses named in his Bill; and, in view of this unanimous feeling in favour of a larger house, will he take powers which will enable him to grant the subsidy to houses of an additional 100 superficial feet on the recommendation of the local authorities concerned?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI cannot accept the suggestion that local authorities are unanimously in favour of an extension of the subsidy to larger houses, and I do not propose to ask the House to review the decision which it has already taken in regard to the size of the houses.
Mr. THOMSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of local authorities desire to have the increased power and will be improve his scheme by giving them an opportunity to build larger houses, if they so desire?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI am not aware of evidence that a large number of local authorities desire it.
§ Mr. FERGUSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that people are not able to pay rent for the houses they have, without making the hoses bigger?