§ 78. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Health whether the two complaints sent in this year with regard to housing accommodation on the part of the rural district council of the Isle of Wight were made by the Isle of Wight Committee of the Agricultural Workers' Union; whether copies of all correspondence between his Department and the local authority have been sent to the complainant Justice; and if, in view of the fact that the two previous statutory complaints sent in on behalf of that committee were found on investigation to be justifiable, he is prepared to order a further investigation in response to these fresh complaints?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am arranging for the statement asked for by the hon. Member to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
§ The following table shows the number of houses completed in each district since 31st March, 1925:
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe complaints referred to were made by a Justice of the Peace, who stated that he was acting on behalf of the body mentioned. I do not think it necessary to send copies of all correspondence with the local authority to the complainant. I am pressing the council to expedite their scheme for the erection of houses, but I do not consider that there would be any advantage in a further investigation at the present time.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the medical officer's report for this area covering the year 1924 showed that there were then more houses out of repair than there were in 1923, and that generally he reports a, very deplorable state of things in this area; and will the right hon. Gentleman look through that report and press for further investigation in this area?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have looked through the report, and I am satisfied that very considerable improvement has taken place. So long as that improvement continues to take place, I do not think it is necessary to make further investigations.
§ Mr. LAWSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider it a proof of improvement that there were considerably more houses out of repair in 1924 than in 1923?