§ Mr. MAXTONasked the Minister of Health if he has been informed of the ejectment of a family from a house in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, and that this family, consisting of father, mother, and nine children, had to be accommodated in a hut, six feet by six feet, on the council allotments, no other accommodation being available; and if he will consider using his special powers to supersede the local authority in the erection of houses for the working classes?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have no information as to the particular ease to which the hon. Member refers. I have no power to supersede a local authority in the erection of houses except where I am satisfied that they have failed to fulfil their obligations under the Housing Acts. The local authority in this case have already erected a substantial number of houses, and further schemes are in progress both by private enterprise under the Act of 1923 and by the local authority under the Act of 1924.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs not the fact that a hut on an allotment was the only available accommodation for a family of 11 fair evidence that there is no accommodation available for the working classes?
Major HOREBELISHAIn how many cases has the right hon. Gentleman taken this matter case of the hands of local authoritieson the grounds he mentioned?
§ Captain MacMILLANIs not this a case of the want of steel houses?