HC Deb 18 June 1931 vol 253 cc1931-3
46. Mr. WEST

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the representation sent to him from the Bishop of London's housing committee urging that a site of four acres in a crowded area of Paddington should be acquired for working-class dwellings by the Paddington Borough Council; and whether he has taken any action in the matter?

Mr. GREENWOOD

The question of the acquisition of this site has for some months been receiving the consideration of the Paddington Borough Council but no final decision has yet been reached.

40. Dr. MORGAN

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the site of the Lock Hospital, Harrow Road, Paddington, is being offered for sale by public auction; whether he is aware of the need of tenement flats for the working classes in Paddington and of the suitability of this site; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Paddington Borough Council has not built, and does not intend to build, any houses, flats or tenements, he will consider the advisability of securing this plot of nearly four acres for houses for his national housing scheme?

Mr. GREENWOOD

The question of the acquisition of the site referred to has been under the consideration of the borough council for some time but I understand it is not only likely to be extremely expensive in itself but also, owing to its proximity to the Grand Junction Canal, to involve very high building cost. I have no power to take the action suggested in the last part of the question.

Dr. MORGAN

Seeing that there is a likelihood of this excellent site falling into the hands of speculative builders, if it is valuable for them for the building of working-class houses, would it not also be valuable for the local borough council for the same purpose?

Mr. GREENWOOD

Probably, if the dwellings could be let at rents within the incomes of working people.

Dr. MORGAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this site comes under the proposed national housing scheme, which I understand is not only for rural but for urban housing?

Forward to