47. Miss CAZALETasked the Minister of Health how many houses to be let at a rent of 10s. a week or less have been built by private enterprise and by local authorities, respectively, since the passing of the Housing Act, 1933?
Sir H. YOUNGAs I do not obtain returns as to rents, I cannot give my hon. Friend precise statistical information, but between the 1st May and 31st December, 1933, local authorities and private enterprise erected 35,561 houses with the aid of subsidy, the great majority of which would fall within the rental limit she mentions. During the half year ended 30th September, 1933, local authorities and private enterprise erected 76,185 small houses without subsidy, of which it is estimated that about 17½ per cent. or 13,300 were let, and about 40 per cent. or 31,000 were houses with a rateable value below £13 (£20 in London).
Miss CAZALETIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that at the present time a sufficient number of these lower- 1292 rented houses is being built to meet necessary requirements?
Sir H. YOUNGAt the present time there is no doubt the demand for small houses to let, at the rents under consideration, is being adequately met.
§ Mrs. COPELANDWill the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that he will do all he can to encourage private enterprise in industrial areas, so that we can have these low-rental houses which we have not at present got in the area I represent?
Sir H. YOUNGIt is undoubtedly most important to obtain the best possible results, and efforts are being made for that purpose.
§ 55. Mr. WHITEasked the Minister of Health the numbers of houses at present under construction and approved for building, respectively, under Section 2 (1) of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933?
Sir H. YOUNGLocal authorities have submitted to me proposals for giving guarantees under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, in respect of 17,300 houses. I cannot give the actual number now under construction, and as regards the arrangements made by local authorities with builders, I cannot usefully add to the information given to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel) on the 1st February.