§ 66. Mr. KELLYasked the Minister of Health whether as the last Census Return gave the number of persons living in overcrowded conditions of over two to a room in Hampstead as more than 5,000, he will state whether the Hampstead Borough Council has built any houses under either the Chamberlain or Wheatley Acts; what number of houses were built under the Addison Act; whether the medical officer of health has prepared a Return showing cases where families of 10 and 11 persons are living in two rooms; and whether the borough council are now engaged in building any houses to meet the position?
§ Sir K. WOODThe borough council have not built any houses under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924, but under a contributory arrangement made with the London County Council 100 of the houses provided by the county council under the Act of 1924 have been placed at the disposal of the borough council and have been allocated to inhabitants of the borough. The borough council have built 140 houses under the Housing Act of 1919. My right hon. Friend understands that the medical officer of health has prepared a return of the nature referred to for the information of the Housing Committee, who have it under consideration. The borough council are not engaged in building any houses at the present time.
§ Mr. KELLYIn view of the conditions, will the right hon. Gentleman use any power which he possesses in order to prevail upon these people to build some houses to meet the situation?
§ Sir K. WOODThe hon. Member knows, as I have already stated, that a return has been made by the medical officer of health and that it is under the consideration of the Housing Committee. I have no doubt that they will consider the report and that they will have due notice of the answer which I have given to-day.