§ 28. Mr. STOURTONasked the Minister of Health if he can state, approximately, the number of class C houses required in urban and rural areas, respectively, in order to provide every working-class family with reasonable housing accommodation?
Sir H. YOUNGOwing to uncertainties in the basis of such an estimate in such matters as standards of accommodation, number of effective families, and possible limits of area of residence, it has never been possible to arrive at a trustworthy arithmetical estimate of the sort required by my hon. Friend. Some information of the kind desired is contained in the census returns, and I will send him a statement of the relevant figures, with the observation that, for the reasons referred to, deductions as to housing needs, based on overcrowding statistics, need many qualifications.
§ Mr. STOURTONIs my right hon. Friend aware that this problem cannot be adequately dealt with until its magnitude is ascertained, and will he therefore take steps to ascertain the requirements of all local authorities?
Sir H. YOUNGAnybody who studies these highly difficult problems will always be in search of some reliable estimate of this sort, and I have explained the difficulties of the search.
§ Mr. LEVYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of these houses are being built without any provision for water supply at all and without any adequate sanitary arrangements?
Sir H. YOUNGNo, Sir, and I shall be grateful if the hon. Member will call my attention to any particulars of this nature.