§ 19. Mr. ERNEST BROWNasked the Minister of Health how many slum-clearance schemes have been sanctioned since 1st January, 1925; how many houses and how many persons are affected by them and in what localities they are situated; and whether those persons affected have been housed elsewhere?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY OF HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)Since 1st January, 1925, 41 slum-clearance schemes, involving 4,439 properties, have been confirmed by my Department. [Interruption.]
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONOn a point of Order. In this part of the House it is quite impossible to hear the reply to this question, on account of the interruptions of the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood).
§ Mr. SPEAKERPerhaps the Minister will repeat the answer.
§ Sir K. WOODSince 1st January, 1925, 41 slum-clearance schemes, involving 4,439 properties, have been confirmed by my Department. The number of persons required to be rehoused under these schemes is 24,590. By 30th September last, the latest date for which the information is available, tenders had been approved, or loans sanctioned, for the erection of 1,976 new dwellings towards the provision of accommodation for the population which is being displaced under the schemes in question, and 864 of these had been completed. Since the list of localities in which the schemes are situated is rather a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir JOSEPH NALLIs it not the fact that many of these schemes are prevented from going on because of the operation of Section 46, and what is the Department doing to get that cleared up?
§ Sir K. WOODI agree that there is considerable difficulty under that particular Section, and my right hon. Friend has stated on several occasions that he is anxious to deal with it, but, of course, legislation would be necessary.
§ Following is the list:
§ Local authorities whose schemes for slum clearance within their areas have been confirmed since 1st January, 1925.
§ Banbury Town Council.
§ Barking Town Urban District Council.
§ Bath Town Council.
§ Bermondsey Metropolitan Borough Council.
§ Bristol Town Council.
§ Cheltenham Town Council.
§ Chester Town Council.
§ Darwen Town Council.
§ Finsbury Metropolitan Borough Council.
§ Halifax Town Council.
§ Hitchin Urban District Council.
§ London County Council (five schemes).
§ Newcastle-on-Tyne Town Council (three schemes).
§ Norwich Town Council (two schemes).
§ Oldbury Urban District Council.
§ Oldham Town Council.
§ Otley Urban District Council.
§ Poole Town Council.
§ Poplar Metropolitan Borough Council.
§ Rawtenstall Town Council.
§ Rotherham Rural District Council.
§ St. Albans Town Council.
§ St. Pancras Metropolitan Borough Council.
§ Sheffield Town Council (two schemes).
§ Stepney Metropolitan Borough Council.
§ Stockton-on-Tees Town Council.
§ Sunderland Town Council (two schemes).
§ Torquay Town Council.
§ Welshpool Town Council.
§ West Bromwich Town Council.
§ Worcester Town Council.
§ York Town Council.