§ 33. Mr. TAYLORasked the Minister of Health the total amount sanctioned as subsidies for the erection of houses under the 1923 and 1924 Housing Arts; and how many houses have been built for sale and how many have been built to let at weekly rentals under them
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe estimated capitalised value of the subsidies payable by the Government under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 194, if the houses authorised up to the 1st instant are duly completed, is £37,856,000. Information is not available as to the total numbers of houses which have been built for sale and for weekly letting, but as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, houses built under the Act of 1924 must be available for letting. On the 1st instant the number of houses authorised under the Act of 1923 was 265,128, of which 141,714 had been completed, while under the Act of 1924, 110,474 had been authorised and 25,856 completed.
§ 34. Mr. TAYLORasked the Minister of Health whether the Government are considering the abolition or reduction of the subsidies granted for the erection of houses for the working classes?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSection 5 of the Housing Act, 1924, requires that after the 1st October next the Minister of Health and the Scottish Board of Health shall take into consideration the expenses likely to be incurred during the next two years in connection with the provision of assisted houses and to have regard to the expenses actually incurred in connection with such houses during the previous two years and thereafter an Order may be made modifying Exchequer contributions in respect of houses built under the Acts of 1923 and 1924. Accordingly I do not propose to anticipate the review which m 1st be undertaken under the Statute Seven months hence.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes not the Minister realise that it is embarrassing the local authorities who arc buying new estates and making contracts, if they do not know whether there is to be a subsidy in October, as many of these houses will not be completed by October?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think there is bound to be some embarrassment obviously, when there is going to be a review of the conditions that have obtained. These conditions may be altered, but I have done my best in the statements I have made in public to minimise that embarrassment, and to give the local authorities confidence that they can go on building.
§ Mr. TAYLORWill the undertakings entered into be fully honoured by the Government?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONAre we to under stand that in the housing contracts already entered into before the close of October that those concerned will get an altered subsidy?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, it is not a question of contracts entered into; it is a question of what has been done to the houses. What I have said was that any houses substantially begun before the 1st October, will certainly receive the old subsidy under the old 1362 conditions. A contract might be made now for a house, and the house might not be commenced for a couple of years, and I could not give a guarantee that in those circumstances the matter would come under the old Order, and might not have to come under any altered conditions that were made.