HC Deb 14 February 1929 vol 225 cc540-2
44. Sir ROBERT GOWER

asked the Minister of Health what schemes for the clearance of insanitary areas have been sanctioned by him during the 12 months preceding the 1st February, 1929; and the dates upon which such schemes, respectively, received his sanction?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

With 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:

46. Sir R. GOWER

asked 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. CHAMBERLAIN

Nine 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 properly withhold approval of schemes put forward on the basis of the existing law.

47. Sir R. GOWER

asked 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. CHAMBERLAIN

I 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.

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