§ 16. Mr. KELLYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the overcrowding in Bombay city owing to the lack of working-class houses or tenements; and whether he can state the reason for the Government decision not to proceed with the construction of the 50,000 one-roomed tenements for labourers decided upon in 1920?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe matter is engaging the attention of the local authorities, and has recently been investigated by a special Advisory Committee. Copy of the Report of this Committee, which shows reasons for not completing the scheme, will be placed in the Library. I may add that my information is that the main reason for not proceeding further with the scheme at present is that a number of the Government tenements already constructed are empty despite a lowering of the rent and that Government is incurring a financial loss in connection with them, though recently the percent- 1665 age of empty tenements has been reduced. At the invitation of Lord Lloyd, when Governor of Bombay, and the present Governor, I have on two occasions inspected the tenements, and they constitute, in my opinion, a valuable addition to the housing facilities of Bombay.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIs the Noble Lord aware that the rents are so far outside the capacity of the people to pay, and the condition of the tenements is so unsatisfactory, that something like two-thirds are at present unoccupied?
Earl WINTERTONINo, Sir, I know exactly the opposite. The rents are not above the capacity of the kind of people for whom they were intended. If the rents were still further lowered, the loss on the scheme would be gigantic and such as no Government could face. With regard to the alleged unsatisfactory condition of the tenements, I state emphatically to the House that I consider the tenements are of good modern construction and admirably suited to the purpose.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIs not the loss on them while they remain empty still greater?
§ Earl WINTERTONAs I said in my answer, the percentage of empties is gradually being reduced, and there is little doubt that, with improved industrial conditions in Bombay and a greater amount of labour being employed, the percentage will be still further reduced. The Government, quite wisely, are waiting to see the effect of that before taking any further action.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEWhat is the percentage of empties Is it not something like 60 per cent.?
§ Earl WINTERTONI could not tell the hon. Member what it is at the moment. It has been very high, but it is gradually being reduced.