§ 44. Sir ROBERT GOWERasked the Minister of Health what schemes for the clearance of insanitary areas have been sanctioned by him during the 12 months 541 preceding the 1st February, 1929; and the dates upon which such schemes, respectively, received his sanction?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINWith the con sent of my hon. Friend, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the information.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Improvement or Reconstruction Schemes confirmed during the 12 months preceding the 1st February, 1929.
§ Date of Confirmation and Local Authority:
- 15th March, 1928—Chelsea M.B.C. (World's End Passage Area).
- 18th April, 1928—Leeds T.C. (West Street Area).
- 7th May, 1928—Sheffield T.C. (Lambert Street, Furnace Hill and Scotland Street Area).
- 5th July, 1928—Knaresborough U.D.C. (Hope Street).
- 1st August, 1928—Wednesbury T.C. (Hall End).
- 13th August, 1928—Brampton R.D.C. 14th September, 1928—Preston T.C. (Poplar Street, etc., Area).
- 22nd September, 1928—Rochdale T.C. (Richard Street Area).
- 19th October, 1928—Exeter T.C. (No. 4 Area, Section A).
- 23rd November, 1928—Liverpool T.C. (Queen Anne Street).
§ 46. Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Health what schemes for insanitary area clearance submitted to him by local authorities for confirmation are now under consideration by him; and whether he will consider the advisability of withholding his approval to such schemes until such time as local authorities are required by Law to pay fair compensation to persons whose sound houses and other buildings are acquired by such authorities under the schemes, and to the owners of businesses carried on in such houses or other building?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNine schemes for clearance of insanitary areas are at present under my consideration. While, as I have frequently indicated, I consider that Section 46 of the Housing Act, 1925, should in certain respects be amended, I do not think that I can 542 properly withhold approval of schemes put forward on the basis of the existing law.
§ 47. Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of including in the legislation he proposes to initiate for the amendment of Section 46 of the Housing Act, 1927, provision that fair compensation shall be paid by local authorities who have already carried out, or are in the course of carrying out, insanitary area-clearance schemes to the owners of sound houses and other buildings which have been acquired by such authorities for the purposes of such schemes and to the owners of businesses carried on in such houses or other buildings?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI assume that my hon. Friend has in mind Section 46 of the Housing Act, 1925. As at present advised I doubt if it would be practicable to provide that any amendment of the law should have retrospective effect.