§ The following question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. SIMON.
§ 51. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a serious burden is imposed by the present rating system on those poor families which move out from the slums to better houses; and will he appoint a committee to consider means of removing this hindrance to good housing.
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENThis question is to be answered by the Minister of Health.
§ At end of Questions—
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Miss Lawrence)I have been asked to reply. I apologise for the absence of my right hon. Friend. This and other aspects of the slum problem will receive my right hon. Friend's consideration in connection with the proposals for legislation which he has in preparation, but he does not think it necessary to appoint a committee to consider this particular matter.
Mr. SIMONIs the hon. Lady aware that the present system of rating falls very hardly upon those who wish to move out of the slums into decent houses and that it is one of the greatest burdens affecting the removal of those slums?
§ Miss LAWRENCEThese matters are receiving the urgent consideration of my right hon. Friend.