§ 50. Mr. QUIBELLasked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected under the Rural Workers Housing Act, 1931; and the districts in which they have been erected and the rents charged in each case?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARE1,989 houses were built under approvals given under the Housing (Rural Authorities) Act, 1931, and were let at rents ranging from 3s. to 4s. a week. I will send the hon. Member a list of the districts in which they were erected.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the hon. Gentleman state how many years it will take to erect the 40,000 which were contemplated when the Measure was passed if progress is to be only at the rate since 1931?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREWhatever may have been said about 40,000 houses being contemplated, under the Act only 4,000 effective applications were made.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Act is designed to enable local authorities to erect 40,000 houses, and does the answer not imply that the Ministry of Health has been disregarding the whole thing?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREWhatever may have been said by the author of the Act, only 4,000 applications were received.
§ Mr. QUIBELLWill the hon. Member give consideration to the administration of this Act in rural areas, seeing that the past housing policy of the Government has not touched the question of providing houses for agricultural workers?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSMight I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part he has played in these housing schemes?