HC Deb 22 November 1928 vol 222 cc1900-1
49. Miss BONDFIELD

asked the Minister of Health if he will state at what price per acre local authorities in London or elsewhere are allowed to purchase land; is he aware that before the War the price of £268,000 for 15 acres, i.e., an average price of just under £18,000 per acre, was sanctioned in Bethnal Green and that certain portions of this 15 acres had a value of between £20,000 and £25,000 per acre; will he say whether this price of £18,000 an acre has been found consistent with fair and reasonable rents to genuine working-class tenants; is he aware that in Chelsea a purchase at just under £10,000 an acre was sanctioned last year; and what is the highest price per acre already sanctioned in Westminster, Kensington, Chelsea, or the City?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

In considering whether sanction to a loan in respect of the purchase of land for housing purposes can be granted, I have to take into account all the circumstances of the particular case, and it is impossible to state any standard or maximum price. I may mention that the average price paid for housing sites outside London is £204 per acre. The land referred to in the second part of the question was an unhealthy area for which a clearance scheme was approved in 1891. The figure of £268,000 represented the net cost of acquisition and clearance of the unhealthy area at that date, but as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the basis of compensation in such cases has been materially altered since that date. The rents charged by the London County Council on this estate vary from 4s. 10d. for one room to 21s. 10d. for six rooms. I am aware that the Chelsea Borough Council purchased a housing site at just under £10,000 an acre, but I have no general information about the prices paid for land acquired in London, as the raising of loans for housing purposes by the Metropolitan Borough Councils and London County Council does not require my sanction, and I am not concerned except in so far as the Exchequer subsidy is payable in respect of the loss on carrying out a slum clearance scheme.