HC Deb 25 May 1933 vol 278 cc1254-5
13. Mr. MAITLAND (for Mr. MELLER)

asked the Minister of Health if he will reconsider the application of the Mitcham Urban District Council and assist the council, by way of grant or otherwise, to re-house the occupants of houses destroyed by the recent explosion in Mitcham?

Sir H. YOUNG

Proposals for rehousing have been submitted to me by the council and are being dealt with as a matter of the greatest urgency, but I am afraid that I have no power to make such a grant as the council have suggested.

Mr. MAITLAND

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the opinion of the Mitcham Urban District Council these houses that were destroyed by the explosion would have been scheduled as a slum area? In view of his well-known desire to help in providing new homes for people living in slum areas, will he reconsider the application from that point of view?

Sir H. YOUNG

I have gone into the matter, and I am advised that legally it is not possible for me to make such a grant.