§ 81. Mr. ELLIS SMITHasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to pages 139 and 140, under the heading "Housing," of the Report of the Unemployment Assistance Board; and, if so, does he propose to take any action?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to the section of the Unemployment Assistance Board's report to which the hon. Member refers. The area in question is one in which housing conditions have been for long unsatisfactory. As regards slum clearance, the erection of 2,847 new houses to replace houses unfit for human habitation has been approved, and good progress with the work is being made. As regards overcrowding, the necessary surveys have only recently been completed, and local authorities are now considering the measures required to remedy it in their districts. Local authorities are required to submit to my right hon. Friend their proposals for the provision of new houses by 1st August next.