§ 44. Mr. LENNOX-BOYDasked the Minister of Health whether he has further explored and, if so, with what result the recommendation in the Report of the Committee on Local Expenditure that the administration of the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, 1926 and 1931, should be placed in the hands of rural district councils?
Sir H. YOUNGAs I explained on the Second Reading of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill now before Parliament, I propose to give sympathetic consideration to any application by a rural district council for authority to administer this Act, if it appears that this course will lead to a greater use of the powers of the Act.
§ 47. Sir PERCY HURDasked the Minister of Health whether the contribution of per house payable by a county 2128 council under Section 34 (2) of the Housing Act, 1930, towards the provision of a house for a member of the agricultural population in a rural district applies to the case of re-housing under a clearance or improvement scheme; what in that event is the total weekly rent equivalent of the assistance obtainable under the Act for slum clearance; and whether means will be taken to make this position more widely known among county and district authorities?
Sir H. YOUNGThe reply to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. For each three-bedroomed house provided under the Act the total of the contributions under the Act is approximately equivalent to a weekly sum of 5s. If the house is in an agricultural parish the weekly equivalent is 5s. 6d.
§ Sir P. HURDWill the right hon. Gentleman reply to the last paragraph of my question?
Sir H. YOUNGAll possible means are taken to call the attention of local authorities to these powers, but, as a matter of fact, I contemplate special measures to that end in the near future.