HC Deb 26 May 1932 vol 266 cc534-5
44. Mr. HAMILTON KERR

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing legislation to give Government support to mortgages on houses built by housing societies in order to give a stimulus to construction and provide the type of cheap house which is especially needed?

Sir H. YOUNG

I am afraid I cannot undertake to consider housing legislation at the present time. I may inform my hon. Friend that 130,903 houses were erected without State assistance in the last financial year, this being the greatest number in any year since the War. I am sending him a copy of a recent circular dealing with the type of houses to be provided by local authorities with State assistance.

Mr. MAXTON

Did that extra large construction of houses by private enterprise take place during the term of the late Labour Government?

Sir H. YOUNG

It was in the last financial year.

Mr. HICKS

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether they were houses of the type which rank for subsidy or not?

Sir H. YOUNG

Is the hon. Member referring to the types of houses among the 130,000?

Mr. HICKS

Yes.

Sir H. YOUNG

I am afraid I should require notice of that question in order to give full particulars with an analysis.