§ 33. Mr. LINDLEYasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the Rawmarsh urban district council requesting him, in view of the inability of a large percentage of the tenants of the council houses to pay the rents at present charged, to grant them permission to reduce the rents under the assisted housing schemes, and to make a grant to them to enable them to reduce the rents of the houses erected under the various Housing Acts; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy attention has been drawn to the resolution of the Rawmarsh urban district council referred to by the hon. Member. As regards houses erected under the Act of 1919 the council have been advised of the steps it is necessary for them to take with a view to the reconsideration of the rents charged by the council. As regards the Acts of 1923 and 1924, the extent to which assistance can be granted is set out in these Acts, and I have no power to vary the grants payable thereunder.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a deputation of Members of Parliament on this question from many other parts of the country, where the same difficulty has arisen, and will continue so long as we have this distress in trade in the country?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of meeting a deputation of local authorities who are in this unfortunate position, since they happen to know the exact situation better than some Members of Parliament?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at least 13 local authorities have made representations, and up to the present all that they have received is merely a copy of the Regulations under the 1919 Act? When will he consider that question?