§ 33. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of towns which have stated that they have no slums which merit clearance, his Department has made investigation into the local housing conditions; whether any local decisions have been reversed: and. if so, in how many cases?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There has been a number of instances in which, after representations made by my right hon. Friend, a local authority has reviewed its first proposal and submitted a programme but I cannot give any precise figure.
§ Mr. HICKSDoes the Minister think that there are any towns or villages in this country that are slum free?
§ Mr. TINKERMay we have the names of those places that have no slums?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREIn every case where a "nil" return has been sent in we have taken steps to have a very careful inquiry made. We have not accepted a "nil" return without checking it.
§ Mr. TINKERMay we have an assurance that the names of those districts that have no slums will be circulated?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREWhen all the returns are in, at a later stage, no doubt the giving of that information will be considered.
§ 34. Mr. STOURTONasked the Minister of Health how many schemes submitted by the local authorities for slum clearance have been deemed unsatisfactory, and to what extent?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREMy right hon. Friend is not able to state the number of local authorities where programmes are unsatisfactory as he is still in communication with these authorities about whose programmes there is doubt.
§ 35. Mr. STOURTONasked the Minister of Health what period he intends to fix as a time limit for the 45 housing authorities which have failed to submit programmes for slum clearance before he takes steps to have public inquiries held under the Act of 1930?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe time limit to be applied to a local authority Which fails to submit a programme is fixed in relation to the circumstances of my right hon. Friend's communications with the particular authority. The period must thus vary to some extent in each case.
§ 40. Major NATHANasked the Minister of Health the total number of clearance orders and compulsory purchase orders made under Part I of the Housing Act, 1930, by the London County Council and 1040 the Metropolitan Borough Councils, respectively, since 1st January, 1933; how many of such orders have now been confirmed by him; and how many houses will be demolished in consequence of such orders?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARESixteen orders relating to 624 houses have been submitted by the London County Council since 1st January, 1933, of which nine orders, covering 249 houses, have been confirmed. Twenty-nine orders, covering 462 houses, have been submitted by the Metropolitan Borough Councils, of which 13 orders, covering 154 houses, have been confirmed.
§ Major NATHANDoes the hon. Member consider that a satisfactory rate of progress?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARENo, Sir.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONCan the hon. Member say how many schemes are pending?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARENot without notice.
§ Major NATHANIn view of the dissatisfaction expressed by the hon. Members as to the rate of progress, will he say what steps it is proposed to take to accelerate it?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe figures I have given refer to the state of affairs before we started the national campaign against the slums.