§ 52. Mr. HICKSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that repairs to the 833 houses and 56 flats built by the local authority of Great Yarmouth since 1921 cost during the year 1933–34 the sum of £3,694; whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to the necessity for the spending of this sum on comparatively new houses; and if he is satisfied that there is efficient supervision over this expenditure?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREExpenditure of this kind is not reported to my right hon. Friend by the local authority, but as on the facts stated it barely exceeds £4 per house he sees no prima facie reason for regarding it as excessive for a particular year.
§ Mr. HICKSDoes not the Minister think that, for the period of the life of these houses, the sum spread over that number of houses is particularly excessive?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREAs I have said, we have not received information as to the expenditure, but it may well be that it is periodical expenditure, for painting, for example, and £4 a house does not appear to be excessive.
§ Mr. HICKSWill the Minister make inquiries, in so far as he says that they have no information regarding the actual figures, to see whether the figures submitted are accurate?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREAs the hon. Gentleman knows, there are the district auditors, and, if there is any irregularity, our attention is called to the matter. We have never had any complaints as far as Great Yarmouth is concerned.