HC Deb 08 May 1934 vol 289 cc926-8
71. Mr. MITCHESON

asked the Minister of Health if he can furnish a statement as to the number of houses built during the half-year ended 31st March, 1934, distinguishing separately those built by unaided private enterprise and those built by municipal authorities with or without State assistance; and how the total built during the half-year compares with the highest total built during any previous half-year ending on 31st March?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The total number of houses built in England and Wales (excluding houses of a rateable value exceeding £78 (or £105 in Greater London) ) during the half-year ended 31st March, 1934, was 153,290, of which 120,781 were built by private enterprise without State assistance. The highest corresponding total during any previous half-year ending 31st March was 111,066 for the half-year ended 31st March, 1927. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving further particulars.

Mr. HICKS

Can the Minister convey to us the number of houses called working class houses and say what proportion they are of the 120,000 houses referred to?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The proportion is 45,000. The remainder are "B" type houses.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that the number of houses built by unaided private enterprise in the last six months is higher than those built by private enterprise and subsidised effort in the previous period?

Mr. KENNETH LINDSAY

What would be the comparable figures for the whole of last year?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The comparable figure for the full year ending March last is 266,000 houses, which is easily a record for the post-War period and an output which can only be described as terrific.

Following is the statement :

The total number of houses provided in England and Wales (excluding houses of a rateable value exceeding £78 (or £105 in Greater London)) during the half-year ended 31st March, 1934, was 153,290. The highest corresponding total during any previous half-year ending 31st March was 111,066 for the half-year ended 31st March, 1927.

Details for each half-year are set out in the following statement :—

— Half-year-ended—
31st March, 1934. 31st March, 1927.
With State Assistance.
By Local Authorities 29,399 37,361
By Private Enterprise 1,644 41,055
Total (assisted) 31,043 78,416
Without State Assistance
By Local Authorities 1,466 32,650
By Private Enterprise 120,781
Total (unassisted) 122,247 32,650
Grand Total 153,290 111,066