§ 22. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health what progress has been made so far this year with the policy of slum clearances?
§ Sir K. WOODOne hundred and four schemes dealing with slum areas have been confirmed. These schemes cover approximately 14,000 houses, of which 8,694 had been acquired by the 1st of October and 4,363 demolished. Tenders for the erection of 7,776 houses in satisfaction of the rehousing obligations imposed by these schemes had been approved at that date and 5,205 houses actually completed. Since the 1st of January, 11 schemes have been submitted by local authorities and 11 confirmed by 16 my right hon. Friend. If will be appreciated that during the current year local authorities have concentrated their energies on the building of as large a number of houses as possible under their new building programme, and my right hon. Friend has every reason to suppose that an increasing number of them will now turn their attention to the execution of slum clearance schemes which they have already had under consideration for some time past.