§ 20. Mr. MABANEasked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, which are in occupation or ready for occupation?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Hilton Young)Figures showing the precise number of houses erected with guarantees under Section 2 of the Act of 1933 which are now occupied or ready for occupation are not available, but up to the 31st March, 1934, guarantees had been given in respect of 1,631 houses, and it may safely be assumed that these houses are now occupied or ready for occupation.
§ Mr. MABANEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on an earlier occasion when I put down this question I was told that the figures for which I asked would be available at the end of March, and that I delayed asking a further question for two months, in the hope that that assurance would be carried out?
§ Sir H. YOUNGThe hon. Member must be under some misapprehension, and perhaps if he will consult with me I may be able to remove it.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISAre not the figures somewhat disappointing to the right hon. Gentleman? Did he not anticipate a much better output?
§ Sir H. YOUNGThe output under these provisions is small at the present time, but there are good indications that it will increase as time goes on.
§ Mr. MABANEWhile I shall be glad to consult my right hon. Friend, is he aware that there is a considerable feeling in the country that some attempt is being made to avoid giving these figures in view of the fact that many of us have tried, to get them by asking questions in various forms on every possible occasion and no figures have been given?
§ Sir H. YOUNGThat impression is entirely without any justification of any sort. Every available figure which is asked for is given as soon as the request is made.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs not the rather small amount of building due to the fact that unaided private enterprise is engaged in other forms of building?
§ Sir H. YOUNGUndoubtedly it is connected with the fact that unaided private enterprise is so busy building under other conditions that efforts in this direction are not so great as they might be.