§ 49. Sir J. NALLasked the Minister of Health what is the present position regarding the housing schemes of the Corporation of Manchester; and whether his Department will continue to require the city council to build only the types of houses for which the greatest demand exists?
Sir H. YOUNGThe Corporation of Manchester have recently submitted pro- 1010 posals for the building of over 2,000 houses, many of which are of a larger size than I think is required. The corporation have been asked to revise their proposals so that the bulk of the houses to be provided can be let at a lower rent than has been usual in the city for corporation houses, and I am in communication with them on the subject.
§ Mr. HICKSMay I now assume that the Manchester City Council are now permitted to proceed with their scheme providing they comply with the Ministry's regulations?
Sir H. YOUNGI am in communication with the corporation on the subject at the present time, and the answer to that question will have to await the result of those communications.
§ Mr. HICKSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that unemployment among building trade workers in Manchester increased by over 660 within the last week as a result of this controversy between the Manchester City Council and the Ministry of Health; and will he speed up the negotiations?
Sir H. YOUNGI am in touch with the various aspects of the question, and my information is not to the effect conveyed by the hon. Member.
§ Sir J. NALLIs it not a fact that, had the corporation agreed to the Ministry's proposals some weeks ago, there need not have been any delay in the matter at all?
§ 50. Sir J. NALLasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the proposals of the Corporation of Manchester to demolish a large area of property in the district of Hulme without any provision for alternative accommodation in the immediate vicinity; that previous schemes have resulted in only 25 per cent. of the dispossessed population moving to new housing estates, whilst 75 per cent. have remained in overcrowded conditions in the vicinity of the demolition area; and will he review existing legislation on this matter at an early date?
Sir H. YOUNGI understand that the question of rehousing accommodation to be provided by the Corporation of Man- 1011 Chester in connection with the proposed clearance referred to is still under consideration by the corporation. As regards the only other area which has been cleared by the corporation since the War, my information is that 75 per cent. of the persons displaced were in fact rehoused by the corporation. I do not think that any amendment of existing legislation on this matter is required.
§ Sir J. NALLWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the figures stated in my question were not in fact published by the medical officer of Manchester, and will he check the discrepency between the figures supplied by the medical officer and those in his Department?
Sir H. YOUNGCertainly; the figures I have given were not given without careful inquiry, but I will check them further in view of what the hon. Member has said.