§ 40. Sir FRANCIS FREMANTLEasked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected, respectively, with and without public financial assistance, during the year ended 30th September, 1933; the corresponding numbers for 1932; and the average cost of such houses of four-roomed non-parlour type?
Sir H. YOUNG50,433 houses were provided with State assistance and 167,880 without State assistance in England and Wales during the year ended the 30th September, 1933, making a total of 218,313. The corresponding numbers for the year ended the 30th September, 1932, were 69,090 and 132,886 respectively, making a total of 201,976. (These numbers exclude houses of a rateable value exceeding £78 (£105 in the Metropolitan area)). The average cost of four-roomed houses cannot be separately stated, but the average cost of all non-parlour houses in contracts let by local authorities, other than the London County Council, or in approved direct labour schemes in England and Wales during the year ended 30th September, 1933, was £292. The corresponding figure for the year ended 30th September, 1932, was £312. These average costs include the cost of paths, drains and fences, but exclude the cost of land, roads, sewers and architects' fees.
§ 41. Sir F. FREMANTLEasked the Minister of Health the number of cottages erected in agricultural parishes during the years ended 30th September, 1932 and 1933, respectively; and the average rental at which such cottages are let?
Sir H. YOUNGThe numbers of houses completed with State assistance in agricultural parishes in England and Wales during the years ended the 30th September, 1932 and 1933, were 4,392 and 3,103, respectively. I have no information as to the average rental of such houses.
§ Sir F. FREMANTLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman regard this as a fairly satisfactory return, or does he consider that more could be done in gingering up the general policy of authorities in agricultural districts?
Sir H. YOUNGThe hon. Gentleman may rest assured that all that is possible in the administration of these Acts is being done.
§ Mr. LEVYAre all these houses adequately supplied with a proper water service, or is that being left to chance?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many agricultural labourers have become the tenants of the new houses; and what special steps the Ministry have taken to inspire rural district councils to build more houses for rural workers?
§ 42. Sir F. FREMANTLEasked the Minister of Health the number of houses reconditioned under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, 1926 to 1931, during the years ended 30th September, 1932 and 1933, respectively?
Sir H. YOUNGThe numbers of houses reconditioned in England and Wales under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, 1926 and 1931, during the years ended 30th September, 1932 and 1933, were 1,286 and 869 respectively.
§ Sir F. FREMANTLEIs 869 the 1933 figure or the 1932 figure?
§ Sir F. FREMANTLEIn view of that extremely unsatisfactory result, cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to move rural authorities to act in this matter, which has now been hanging over for a long time?
Sir H. YOUNGThe hon. Gentleman is aware that I recently addressed a circular on the subject to the local authorities, and it is undoubtedly bearing good fruit.
§ Sir BASIL PETOWill the Minister point to the example of Devon in that matter?
§ 63. Major NATHANasked the Minister of Health whether he can state the total number of private families occupying one and two rooms, respectively, in the administrative county of London at a recent date?
Sir H. YOUNGThe most recent figures available are those for the 1931 Census. These are given in full in Table 11 of the London County Report volume, to which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Major NATHANIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that adequate steps are being taken in the towns to provide suitable housing accommodation for these unfortunate people?