HC Deb 23 May 1932 vol 266 cc15-7
33. Mr. LUNN

asked the Minister of Health how many houses were being built by local authorities in May, 1931, and how many in May, 1932?

Mr. E. BROWN

35,440 dwellings were under construction by local authorities at 30th April, 1931, and 33,493 at 30th April, 1932.

32. Mr. THORNE

(for Mr. HICKS) asked the Minister of Health what is the present estimated shortage of housing accommodation in England and Wales; what is the number of parlour-houses and flats erected in each of the months January, February and March, 1932; and what action is being taken by the Ministry of Health to urge local authorities to press forward building schemes?

Mr. E. BROWN

My right hon. Friend regrets that he has no data on which to base such an estimate as is asked for in the first part of the question. Nor is he able to state the total numbers of parlour-houses and flats erected from time to time in England and Wales. The numbers of houses and flats erected with State assistance and completed in the three months mentioned were 6,218, 6,402 and 5,916. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks) to the answer given to the question put by him on 12th May.

34. Mr. C. EDWARDS for

asked the Minister of Health if he can furnish figures showing the number of families living in one-room tenements in England and Wales, with separate figures for each of the large towns?

Mr. E. BROWN

My right hon. Friend regrets that the figures asked for are not yet available.

35. Mr. C. DUNCAN for

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses or flats to let at rents of 10s. weekly or below that are being erected by local authorities; the number of houses or flats of this type erected since 1st November, 1931; and the number of schemes and total of houses provided in such schemes at present under consideration by the Ministry?

Mr. E. BROWN

My right hon. Friend regrets that the exact particulars asked for are not available, but the number of houses and flats of the non-parlour type, the erection of which has been authorised since 1st November last, is approximately 21,000, and the rents of these houses should generally not exceed 10s. a week.