§ 36. Colonel Sir ARTHUR HOLBROOKasked the Minister of Health the number of houses which have been dealt with under the provisions of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926; whether any and what counties have failed to put this Act into operation; and the number of houses which have been completed in agricultural parishes under the 1924 Housing Act?
§ Sir K. WOODUp to the end of December last, the latest date for which information is available, applications had been received by local authorities for assistance under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, in respect of 599 dwellings. At the same date, assistance had been promised in respect of 151 dwellings, and work was in progress on 366 89 dwellings. There are four counties (Isle of Ely, Soke of Peterborough, Merioneth and Radnor) for which no schemes have yet been submitted under the Act in question, and in which none of the district councils have been declared authorities. The number of houses completed in agricultural parishes in England and Wales under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, up to the 1st March, 1928, was 10,090.
§ Sir A. HOLBROOKWill the hon. Gentleman give the names of the four counties referred to?
§ Sir K. WOODI read them out. The hon. Gentleman will find them in the answer.
§ Mr. HURDIn the case of these county councils which have not submitted schemes and others that are not carrying out their duties under the Act, will the Minister consider making the rural district councils the housing authority under the Act?
§ Sir K. WOODThat would be a matter for consideration.