§ 16. Sir FREDRIC WISEasked the Minister of Health the amount of local loan money that has been advanced for housing?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)Since the 1st April, 1919, there has been advanced in Great Britain for housing and small dwellings acquisition about £160 millions from the Local Loans Fund in addition to the very considerable sums raised direct in the market by housing authorities.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSWill my right hon. Friend say how much of that has been provided out of the sales of National Savings Certificates?
§ Mr. McNEILLI could not give that information without notice.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGECould my right hon. Friend say how much of this is due to the Wheatley Housing Act?
§ Mr. McNEILLI could not give any details without notice.
Mr. W. THRONEWould it not be very much better if the £12,000,000 of the Road Fund had been used for housing purposes instead of allowing it to be "pinched" by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. McNEILLThat is a mere matter of opinion, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would attach no importance to my opinion.
Lieut.-Colonel LAMBERT WARDCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any estimate of the annual cost to the Exchequer and the local authorities?
§ Mr. McNEILLNo, I cannot.