§ 70. Sir ROBERT GOWERasked the Minister of Health whether he will defer giving his approval to slum-clearance schemes which involve the acquisition by local authorities of houses which, apart from their environment, are in themselves sound and sanitary on payment of site value only until such time as such local authorities are permitted by law to pay reasonable compensation to the owners of such houses as compensation for their loss?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Miss Lawrence)No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is bound to administer the law as it exists. At the same time, I would point out that any properties included in a scheme otherwise than on account of their sanitary condition or being dangerous or injurious to health would not be subject to compensation for site value only as laid down by Section 46 (1) of the Housing Act, 1925, but would come within the terms of compensation laid down in Sub-section (3) of that Section.
§ Sir R. GOWERIs the Minister aware that a large number of properties which are themselves sanitary but are deemed to be insanitary because of their environment, are included?
§ Miss LAWRENCENo doubt if that is the case those properties come within the scope of Section 46, Sub-section (1), and not within Sub-section 46 (3).
§ Mr. HALL-CAINEIf any compensation is to be paid for these rat-holes, ought it not to be paid to the poor people who have to live in them?