§ 26. Mr. WISE (for Mr. ALEXANDER RAMSAY)asked the Minister of Health how many houses, apart from replacements under slum-clearance schemes of such a character as to let at rentals of not more than 11s. per week, inclusive of rates, are at present under construction in the county boroughs of West Bromwich, Wednesbury, Dudley and Smethwick, respectively?
Sir H. YOUNGThe only returns available of houses under construction relate to houses being erected by local authorities, and do not specify the prospective rents. The Wednesbury Town Council are now erecting 72 houses under the Housing Act, 1924, but the other authorities mentioned have, apart from slum-clearance proposals, no housing schemes in progress. The latest information which I have regarding the activities of private enterprise relate to the half-year ended September last, during which period the number of houses erected, with a rateable value of £26 or less, was 170 in West Bromwich, 10 in Wednesbury, 126 in Dudley and 47 in Smethwick.