§ 58. Mr. PHILIP OLIVERasked the Minister of Health whether the investigation which he is conducting into the paving charges on owner-occupiers of new houses have reached a stage at which definite results can be announced; if not, when does he expect to be in a position to make such an announcement; and in the meantime will he urge local authorities, when drawing up their specifications, to have regard to the reduced circumstances of many owner-occupiers and to the need for economy in this matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSuggestions for the amendment of the law and practice in regard to private street works are now being considered by the associations of the responsible local authorities, but I am not yet in a position to state when definite results can be announced. As regards the last part of the question, I agree that in this as in other matters local authorities should have regard to the need for economy at the present time and I am suggesting to local authorities who submit applications for sanction to loans for private street works not to proceed now with such works unless there are special reasons.