HC Deb 07 April 1927 vol 204 cc2252-3
37. Lieut-Colonel HENEAGE

asked the Minister of Health how many district councils have been accepted as the housing authority under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, and how many have been refused?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The applications of district councils under Section 5 of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1925, are being considered in conjunction with the schemes proposed by the county councils, and I am not at the moment in a position to give a decision in regard to them, but I hope to do so shortly.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is an impression that the district councils are being discouraged from working this Act and can he give an assurance that nothing will be done to discourage these councils from working an Act which has been passed by this House?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think there is any foundation for the suggestion that they are being discouraged. The Act provides that in certain cases they may be the appointed authorities, and I shall endeavour to give my decision impartially in accordance with the Act.

Mr. PALING

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the number of applications that have come in at present?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think it is a question of expressing satisfaction or otherwise; I merely have to receive the applications.

Mr. PALING

Is it a fact that rural councils are not making applications, and that, if the present method is continued, the Act is likely to remain a dead letter in many cases?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think that that must be assumed at all. The district councils may make applications. If they do not, the county council will be the authority.

Mr. HURD

May we take it that the replies which my right hon. Friend has sent to the county councils do not in any way constitute a refusal to rural districts of power to work this Act?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I have already said that I shall give my decision about the applications of the rural district councils shortly. I have not been able to do so yet.

Mr. HURD

Has my right hon. Friend made no reply that constitutes a refusal?

38. Major GLYN

asked the Minister of Health which are the county councils that have put into force the Housing (Rural Workers) Act; and in how many cases have rural district councils made application to the Ministry of Health to administer the Act?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Draft schemes under the Act have so far been submitted by 12 county councils and have been provisionally approved. I will circulate the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I have definite information that a further 26 county councils have schemes actually under consideration, but these have not yet been submitted for approval. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given on the 4th instant to a similar question by the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd).

Following are the names:

County councils which have received approval to draft schemes under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926: