HC Deb 08 December 1927 vol 211 cc1563-4
55. Mr. HARMSWORTH

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an estimate of the saving of the taxpayers' money arising from the reduction of the housing subsidy as from the 1st October last?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The capital value of the reduction of the annual Exchequer subsidy for houses completed after 1st October amounts to £25. The actual saving to the Exchequer will depend on the number of houses built while the reduced subsidy is operative.

Mr. PALING

Is there any evidence that owing to the reduced subsidy the number of houses to be built will be larger next year?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

There is no evidence yet as to how many houses will be built next year.

Mr. MACKINDER

Would it be possible to get an estimate of how many people have been thrown on to unemployment insurance as a result of the subsidy being reduced? I know of 50.