§ 38. Mr. BUXTONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the problem of housing conditions in Westminster; and what steps the local authority are taking in order to alleviate the distress caused by these conditions?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend's attention has from time to time been 1091 drawn to the housing conditions in Westminster. The city council have completed 40 tenements and have under construction a further 118 flats. It is understood that they have also accepted an offer from the London County Council for the allocation to Westminster families of 50 houses on the county council's estate at Hammersmith. The high cost of land in Westminster materially increases the difficulty of providing housing accommodation in the City at a reasonable rent, and there is no doubt that relief for the overcrowded population of Central London must come, in the main, from the large building schemes of the London County Council.
§ Mr. BUXTONWill the Minister, if necessary, use his powers to stimulate further action by the local authorities in view of the intolerable conditions revealed by this survey?
§ Sir K. WOODI think the Westminster Council, at any rate, is using a good many endeavours. I have said we must look, so far as housing conditions in Westminster are concerned, more to the London County Council.
§ Sir ROBERT THOMASWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the reason for the high cost of building in Westminster?
§ Sir K. WOODThat is another matter altogether.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, bad as housing conditions are in Westminster, they are even worse in Shoreditch?
§ Sir K. WOODImprovement is steadily being made in all parts of London.
§ Colonel DAYWill the hon. Gentleman use his good offices to persuade the London County Council to build 100 instead of 50?
§ Sir K. WOODI have no reason to think the London County Council are not alive to the necessity of the case.