46. Mr. SIMONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the memorandum issued by the Ministry of Health in 1924, explaining the financial provisions of the Housing Act of 1924, it was estimated that 150,000 houses would be built under that Act in the year 1930; whether he is aware that the present rate of building is only about one-third of that foreseen in 1924; and what steps he proposes to take to treble the present rate of building so as to bring it into conformity with the proposals accepted by Parliament in 1924?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIf the hon. Member will look again at the paper to which he refers he will see that the figure of 150,000 covered houses built under the Housing Act of 1923 as well as under that of 1924. It was in fact the figure which the Building Industry Committee in their report Cmd. 2104 of 1924 had estimated as being attainable under the Housing Acts in 1930. In the 12 months ending on 31st March, 1930, the total actual output of houses by the building industry in England and Wales was 202,060.
Mr. SIMONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this White Paper gives a table of the subsidies on these houses, showing quite clearly that 150,000 houses have been built under the 1924 Act, and that for these houses the increased Exchequer contribution is available in all cases, and therefore what the right hon. Gentleman has just said is totally wrong?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI can only retort—[HON. MEMBERS "Answer!"]—that the undertaking which was given by the building industry covered houses of all kinds and under two Acts of Parliament, one of which was abolished before I took office.
§ Mr. GREENWOODI shall be very glad to read it again, but the hon. Gentleman's real difficulty is that he takes it that a house that is not subsidised is not a house at all.
§ Mr. STRACHEYWill the new Bill raise the rate of building under the 1924 Act to 150,000 houses a year?