§ 34. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISasked the Minister of Health if he will give particulars of cases where private enterprise has failed to provide houses and, in consequence, the local authority has exercised its duty to provide the houses required?
Sir H. YOUNGSince May last, when the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, became law, approval has been given to the erection of houses without subsidy to 53 local authorities. These proposals comprise 1,698 houses, and, before approval was given, the authorities concerned satisfied me that there was no likelihood of the houses being provided by private enterprise.
§ 38. Mr. JOELasked the Minister of Health if he can state the number of arrangements which have been made by corporations with private building firms for the erection of working-class houses to be let and not sold; and the numbers of such houses which are being constructed under these arrangements?
Sir H. YOUNGThe number of arrangements made under Section 2 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, was at 31st December last 18. They covered 1,033 houses. The total number of houses contemplated for inclusion in arrangements by local authorities at that date was 16,100, and I understand that arrangements covering 3,780 houses are in course of negotiation.
§ Mr. JOELIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the working of private enterprise under the 1933 Act?
Sir H. YOUNGThis question relates only to the use of the guarantee to the building authorities. It is a new scheme with many novel provisions and, as they become better known, fuller use will, no doubt, be made of the scheme.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress he is making to do away with slums after being in office for 2½ years?