§ 16. Mr. SUNLIGHTasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, as a consequence of the shortage of housing accommodation in the town of Shrewsbury, industrial workers in the town have to cycle, in the absence of other transport facilities, 15 miles or more, morning and night daily, to share cottages in the occupation of farm workers, who suffer terrible overcrowding; and will the Ministry press on the Corporation of Shrewsbury the urgency of building more houses in the town?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)My right hon. Friend is aware that Shrewsbury, in common with many other places, has a very serious need of additional housing accommodation. He thinks that the hon. Member may take it that the Council are fully alive to the necessities of the situation, and, in addition to the houses already contracted for, they are at present negotiating for the erection of a further instalment of houses.
§ 17. Mr. SUNLIGHTasked the Minister of Health how many houses have been built in the rural parishes of the Shrews- 720 bury Parliamentary division of Shropshire since the 1923 Housing Act came into force; whether the total number is below the average for similar divisions; and, if so, has the Ministry taken any steps to press the urgency of building more on the rural authorities?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe number of houses completed in tile rural districts of Atcham and Chirbury during the year ended the 31st March, 1924 (the latest period for which full figures are available), was 44. My right hon. Friend does not think that it is practicable to institute such a comparison as the hon. Member suggests. As the hon. Member may be aware, a circular was addressed to all local authorities in August last, explaining fully their powers and duties under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEHave any houses been started under the Labour Government's programme of housing?