§ 68. Mr. STRANGERasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the reports of the medical officer of health of West Berkshire, and also of the sanitary inspector of the same rural district, as to the serious overcrowding in the villages of Berkshire; whether he is aware that in the village of Coldash recently 16 persons (three families) were living in one small house of only three bedrooms; that on the sanitary inspector obtaining an order to abate the overcrowding a man, his wife, and five children (two of school age) from that house had to be accommodated in the workhouse; that on admission the man was found to be suffering from tuberculosis; that there are still two families, including nine adult persons, living in that small house; that in the adjoining village of Shaw, Berkshire, a man employed in Government work, with his son, aged 15 years, share a room, whilst his wife and four children (two of school age), owing solely to lack of housing accommodation, are in the workhouse, where the man visits them and pays for their maintenance; that in the neighbouring village of Thatcham, Berkshire, in consequence of lack of accommodation, a man, Mr. Sturgiss, with his wife and four children (the two eldest only of school age), are living in a barn; and what steps he proposes to take in the immediate future to remedy the condition of overcrowding prevailing in this district?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI have not received copies of the reports in question. I am, of course, aware of the regrettable housing conditions prevailing in this as in other districts, and shall do all in my power to 1383 assist by the housing scheme of the Government.
§ 82. Mr. STRANGERasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the report of Dr. Sisam, medical officer of health for West Berkshire, for the year 1922, published in 1923, in which he states that the housing situation is not yet such as to justify the closure of any considerable proportion of the numerous houses which are unfit for habitation; whether he can place before the House information of the number of houses in that district found on inspection not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation during 1923, and the number of those houses which are, nevertheless, still in occupation; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYMy attention has been drawn to the report referred to. I understand that the report for the year 1923 has not yet been compiled, and the information requested by the hon. Member is, therefore, not available. As regards the last part of the question, I would suggest that the hon. Member should await the announcement which will shortly be made on the subject of the Government's general policy in regard to housing.
§ Mr. STRANGERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question and question No. 68 were down last week? Cannot he give us a reply in the course of a week to questions of the kind?