§ 55. Mr. WHITE (for Mr. E. D. SIMON)asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the rate of building under the 1924 Housing Act during the present year is just over one-half the rate of building under that Act during the year ending 30th September, 1927; and, having regard to the unemployment in the building industry, what steps he proposes to take to accelerate the rate of building of houses for letting?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Miss Lawrence)My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any comparison of building under the 1924 Act in the 12 months ending September, 1927, and September, 1930, respectively. As the hon. Member has repeatedly been informed, the rate of building during the first of the periods was abnormal because 2159 of the rush to complete before a change in the subsidy from the 30th of September. As regards the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend hopes that in the near future local authorities will be undertaking work on a large scale with the help of the new provisions contained in the Bill now before Parliament.
Viscountess ASTORIs the hon. Lady really satisfied with the work of her Department, and does she not know that that answer is absolutely misleading and will not fool the women of the country?
§ Miss LAWRENCEMy right hon. Friend has solid reasons for satisfaction, and I really believe that the women of the country will appreciate his efforts.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEWould the Parliamentary Secretary please explain what has happened to the pledges given by the Government at the last Election?