§ 41. Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are more children living under unsatisfactory conditions at the present time than there were 20 years ago; will he consider whether some form of rent allowance can be conceded to the parents in order to allow them to remove the children into 2228 more healthy conditions with better accommodation and houses; and will he make a statement of the Government's suggestions for the solution of this problem?
§ Sir K. WOODI am not aware of any authority for the statement contained in the first part of the question: a definite programme has been adopted for the removal of unfit houses and overcrowding, and generous subsidies are available to enable the new houses which are being built to be let at low rents. In selecting their tenants local authorities are required by the Act of 1935 to give a reasonable preference to those who have large families or are living under unsatisfactory housing conditions and are authorised to make such rebates from rent as they may think fit.
§ Mr. DAYHas the Minister seen the medical officers' reports on these conditions, especially in some of the districts in London?
§ Sir K. WOODThere are many hundreds of medical officers' reports, and if the hon. Member has any particular report in mind, perhaps he will draw my attention to it?
Miss RATHBONEWill the right hon. Gentleman give some further instructions to the local authorities to adopt the system of rebate of rent, and is he aware that only about 40 or 50 local authorities are adopting the system?
§ Sir K. WOODThe question is not without difficulty, but it is a matter for the local authorities to determine for themselves.
§ Mr. THURTLEDo I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied with the present position of the housing problem?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir, but I am saying more about that this afternoon.