§ 25. Mr. ALBERYasked the Minister of Health if he can make a statement on the progress of slum clearance and the future intentions of the Government?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)Up to the 31st March last my right hon. Friend had received resolutions declaring 408 areas in England and Wales, the clearance of which involves the displacement and rehousing of approximately 68,000 persons, to be clearance areas under the Housing Act, 1930, and 269 clearance or compulsory purchase orders had been submitted in connection with such areas. Upwards of 13,000 houses, which are either earmarked or available for the purposes of the Act, have either been erected or are under construction. The intention is that local authorities should continue to make the fullest possible use of their powers in this matter.
§ Mr. ALBERYIn view of the comparatively low cost of building and in view of the unemployment in the building trade, do the Government intend to take any special measures to expedite building?
§ Mr. BROWNThe answer is that the Government are doing all that they can to persuade the local authorities to make the fullest use of the Act.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISIs my hon. Friend aware that some of the local authorities are holding up their slum clearance schemes as a result of the Economy Circular, and will he proceed to bring pressure upon them to carry out the policy of the Government?
§ Mr. BROWNI cannot agree with my hon. Friend that schemes are being held up as a result of the Economy Circular. As he knows, there is a diversity of views among the local authorities.