§ 63. Mr. SUMMERSBYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in a large number of instances families are living in one room, often a basement, and paying 17s. 6d. a week rent; and will he consider the desirability of abandoning certain restrictions in order that two-room dwellings may be erected at an economic rent of 5s. a week or less, seeing that this would be such an improvement as to justify the abandonment of the present principle of four or five-roomed houses or none at all?
Sir H. YOUNGI am not clear what restrictions my hon. Friend has in mind, but I should be glad to consider any proposals which he may be able to make for reducing the cost of building as he suggests.
§ Mr. SUMMERSBYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these people pay half their income away in rent, and that there is no shortage of houses but only a shortage of houses at rents which they can afford to pay?
Sir H. YOUNGI am aware of those conditions, and, as the hon. Member has some suggestions in mind for a remedy, I should be most glad to receive them from him.
§ Viscount EDNAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large number of four or five-room houses at a rental of 5s. or less, and does he not think it would be a wise policy for local authorities to acquire these private properties and put them into proper repair?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI would like to know where they can get five-apartment houses at 5s. a week.