§ 68. Mr. G. HARVEYasked the Minister of Health what is the amount of the subsidy paid to house builders during the years 1924 and 1925, respectively?
§ Sir K. WOODSubsidies are paid by my right hon. Friend's Department to local authorities in connection with both houses erected by local authorities themselves and annual expenses incurred by local authorities in respect of grants made by them to persons erecting houses. The amounts paid to authorities in 1924 and 1925, respectively, were £26,294 and £140,000 in respect of houses erected by the authorities under the terms of the Acts of 1923 and 1924: and £8,887 and £161,053 in respect of grants made by them to persons erecting houses. My right hon. Friend has no information regarding the total of the grants made by local authorities during these periods, but the number of houses completed and for which grants had been promised was 33,498 in 1924 and 59,139 in 1925. In addition, subsidies amounting to £1,827 and £11,930 were paid by my right hon. Friend's Department in 1924 and 1925, respectively, to societies, companies, etc., erecting houses under the terms of Section 3 of the 1923 Act.
§ Mr. HARVEYIs it intended that the total subsidy should disappear into the pockets of the builders only?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. The question asked is simply what is the amount; if 1653 there is any other matter upon which my hon. Friend desires information, perhaps he will put it on the Paper.