HC Deb 25 June 1931 vol 254 cc607-8
57. Mr. FREEMAN

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to make any announcement on the intentions of His Majesty's Government further to accelerate the building of cottages and small houses in rural districts?

63. Mr. LEES

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to announce the Government's policy with regard to the rural housing question?

64. Mr. QUIBELL

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to announce to the House the Government policy with respect to rural housing; and, if so, can he state the character of the machinery they propose for expediting such policy?

Mr. GREENWOOD

The Government's proposals in this matter are set out in the Financial Resolution which appears on the Paper to-day,

Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to publish a Financial Memorandum in connection with these proposals?

Mr. GREENWOOD

Yes.

Viscountess ASTOR

Are these the Government's proposals about rural housing, or are they the proposals of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Sir T. Walters)?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I think that, if the Noble Lady will look at the Resolution, she will find that they are the Government's proposals.

Mr. BEAUMONT

Is not the best way to expedite rural housing to drop the land tax proposals?

53. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Minister of Health whether, in relation to the housing proposals which have been the subject of conversations between the Government and the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Sir T. Walters) he proposes to consult the local authorities; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement on the matter?

Mr. GREENWOOD

The associations of local authorities concerned will be consulted as regards the Government proposals in connection with rural housing.

67. Mr. QUIBELL

asked the Minister of Health if he has any estimate of the extent to which the new proposals for rural housing will increase employment in rural areas?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I am not at present in a position to make any precise estimate of this kind.