§ 31. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the officers of his Department are impressing upon the West Ham County Borough Council, in connection with the construction of 30 working-class houses for the re-housing of families whose dwellings have to be demolished in connection with the widening of Stratford High Street, a reduction of cubic space about 10 per cent. upon the submitted plans; and, as the type of house submitted is identical with those previously erected in connection with other sections of the High Street widening, whether he will reconsider the matter with a view of the acceptance of the West Ham proposals?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARECertain informal communications on this matter have passed between officers of the borough council and officers of any right hon. Friend's Department, but no proposals of the council have as yet been submitted to him for consideration.
§ Mr. GROVESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a reply was received by the county borough of West Ham, and that I am chairman of the committee which received the formal letter; and that, therefore, the negotiations were not informal? Is he aware that the proposal with regard to the reduction of cubic space came from his Department, and that West Ham objects?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI understand. that there has been an informal discussion, and we are awaiting the final proposals of the council.