§ 25. Miss RATHBONEasked the Minister of Health whether he has included in the periodical return of new houses for which he is asking particulars of whether the houses are intended for sale or letting and, if the latter, at what rentals?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe half-yearly returns now obtained as to new dwelling houses provided without State assistance show the number of houses entered on the rate book during the half-year with a 188 rateable value not exceeding £26—£35 in Greater London—which are occupied by persons other than the owners. This information is available in the records of the authority as a rating authority. The returns do not show the rents charged for new houses built by private enterprise, where let, as local authorities do not ordinarily have this information in their possession.
§ Miss RATHBONEAs merely from the rate charges it is impossible for the public to judge of the rental of a house and the number of different rentals, will the Parliamentary Secretary make an effort to supply the information? Does he not recognise that in default of such information it is impossible for the public to judge whether private enterprise and the Ministry, together or separately, are meeting the need of thousands of citizens who are not technically slum dwellers or overcrowded, but who are grievously under-housed?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREWe have approached several local authorities and always get the same reply: "These facts are not procurable."
§ Mr. PIKEIn view of the great number of injustices inflicted by local authorities upon applicants for houses built by the authorities, will the Minister not consider making a new order in respect not only of a definite declaration of the amount of income necessary to pay the rent, but also the rental of houses which local authorities own?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThat is an entirely different point. Perhaps the hon. Member will find some satisfaction in the Bill to be introduced next Session.
§ 23. Mr. H. WILLIAMS (for Mr. MITCHESON)asked the Minister of Health the number of houses that were built during the six months ended 30th September?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe number of houses completed and under construction with State assistance in England and Wales during the six months ended the 30th September, 1934, was 39,755. The returns relating to the provision of houses without State assistance during the six months are not yet complete, and figures will not be available until about the 20th November.