§ 20. Mr. HICKSasked the Minister of Health if he will call for a return from all local authorities as to the number of houses that have been built to be let by private enterprise during 1933, giving separate figures for each type of house, and the rent charged?
Sir H. YOUNGAs the hon. Member knows, I receive returns of houses provided by private enterprise in the half years ended 31st March and 30th September. I cannot fairly call upon local authorities to supplement returns already received, but I am arranging that in future the half-yearly returns shall show the number of small houses let and the number owner-occupied, classified according to rateable value. A classification according to rents charged is not possible, as in most cases the information will not be in the possession of the local authority.
§ Mr. HICKSHow will the Minister be able to inform the House as to the progress of building last year until such data as are asked for here are available?
§ Mr. HICKSI understand that the data available are only piecemeal and the municipal authority is not the reporting authority to inform the Minister as to the actual amount of building.
Sir H. YOUNGIf the hon. Member reads the answer, he will see that the only part of what he requires that I cannot get, because it is not in the possession of the local authorities, is classified information regarding rents.
§ Mr. HICKSIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the returns that he gets from the agencies from which he has now quoted will be equal to the task of reporting the number of houses built and the rents charged for 1933?