§ 15. Sir JOHN POWERasked the Minister of Health what is the present estimated annual requirement of new 552 houses to meet the growth of population and the number required to replace closed and demolished houses; and if he has any figures as to the addition to the housing accommodation during the year ended 31st March last due to the conversion of existing houses into flats?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is difficult to frame a reliable estimate of the annual need for new houses, but the present annual requirement in order to meet the growth of population has commonly been estimated at about 70,000 houses. Statistics are not available of the number of houses at present being closed or demolished, or with regard to the information desired by the hon. Member in the last part of his question.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNMay I ask upon what standard these estimates are based?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think they are based on the figures in the census, and upon an assumed average of the number of persons per family.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEMay I ask whether the National Housing Town Planning Committee does not place the requirements at a much higher figure?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Member is probably confusing two estimates. The estimate to which he refers includes the number of houses required to replace those which are demolished.
§ Colonel DAYIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that houses are being demolished in sufficient numbers for the purposes of the various slum clearance schemes.