§ 21. Lieut-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Health how many houses have been demolished under slum- 10 clearance schemes in the last four years; and how many persons formerly living under slum conditions have been re-housed under these schemes?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)Information in regard to the matter referred to by the hon. and gallant Member is only available from the 1st April, 1925. Between that date and 3lst December, 1928, the latest date for which particulars have been furnished, 8,540 buildings have been acquired for demolition, 6,002 buildings have been demolished and 6,949 new dwellings have been erected in connection with slum clearance schemes. It is estimated that approximately 31,000 persons have been re-housed in these new dwellings.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman promise any increase of these very meagre operations—meagre compared with the number of people in the slums?
§ Sir K. WOODI am sure we would all like to see more progress made. As a fact, during the last few years progress has been made with greater rapidity than before, and I think it can be said that, with the great accession to the number of new houses, local authorities will now be able to turn their attention much more vigorously to the question of slum clearance.
Mr. MALONEHas the Department any figures which show the numbers of the population still living in slum habitations?
§ Sir K. WOODI require notice of that question.