§ 20. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a serious shortage of 1698 houses to let in the Sunderland Rural District Council's area besides a large number that are unfit for habitation, and that the council have approached the Ministry for power to erect further houses to meet the needs of the locality, and such appeal has been refused; and on what grounds the Ministry have refused the appeal?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware of the conditions prevailing in the district in question and of the application made by the local authority. I have been unable to accede to this application on account of the financial difficulties of the district at the present time, but I will keep the situation under review and in the event of an improvement would be glad to give further consideration to the matter.
§ Mr. RICHARDSONWill the right hon. Gentleman at once give consideration to this matter? There are hundreds and thousands of dwellings not fit for habitation. The council have been pressed by all manner of people to provide houses somewhere.