§ 66. Mr. HARRISasked the Minister of Health whether his Department has held up any housing schemes submitted by local authorities since 1st October on the grounds of economy; if so, what 505 schemes are affected; and if there is any curtailment in the housing programmes of local authorities as a result of the economy policy of the Government?
Sir H. YOUNGThere has been no instance of refusal to approve housing proposals on the ground of economy, but in present circumstances I have found it necessary to discuss with local authorities in certain cases some modification of their proposals with a view to securing the provision of a type of house which can be let at a lower rent than has been usual in the past. I have no information showing that local authorities have made any substantial curtailment of their programmes.
§ Mr. HICKSDo I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that housing subsidies will not be allowed to those municipal authorities unless they erect houses of a particular type suitable to the Ministry of Health requirements on a lower standard?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODSeeing that we have bad figures this morning stating that there is a quarter of a million of those engaged in the building industry unemployed, will the Minister of Health use his influence with local authorities to get on with building the houses which are so necessary to house the people?
Sir H. YOUNGUndoubtedly, the unemployment problem is one of the factors which has to be taken into consideration in connection with the housing problem.
§ 78. Mr. HICKSasked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to take any action against those local authorities which have decided to reduce the schemes for house building below the number specified in their five-year programme?
Sir H. YOUNGI do not know of any case in which such interference with the discretion of a local authority is necessary.
§ Mr. HICKSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the Economy Act came into operation the municipal authorities have cut clown their housing programmes to such an extent that 40,000 506 building trade workers have been added to the unemployed?
Sir H. YOUNGI rather deprecate in these matters such generalisations. If the hon. Member has any special case to which he desires to draw my attention, I shall be glad to consider it.
§ 84. Mr. GEORGE HALLasked the Minister of Health whether any local authorities have been asked by the Ministry of Health to defer housing proposals; and whether he proposes to take any action under the default powers conferred by the Housing Act, 1930,, against the local authorities who are neglecting their responsibility to provide additional housing accommodation in their district?
Sir H. YOUNGThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I am not at present aware of any instance in which I ought to consider default action.