§ 38. Mr. DREWEasked the Minister of Health the present shortage of houses in rural areas, apart from overcrowding; and what steps are being taken to provide more houses for rural workers?
§ Sir K. WOODUnder the slum clearance programmes submitted by local authorities, it was estimated that 32,096 new houses would be required in rural districts to replace houses unfit for habitation. Eleven thousand, seven hundred and two houses have so far been, approved for erection with Exchequer assistance, under the Housing Act, 1930, which provides a special subsidy for houses required for persons displaced from houses in agricultural parishes, and 5,876 are completed. The attention of local authorities is at present concentrated on the most 546 urgent problems of dealing with unfit houses and overcrowding, and I have no information as to the total number of additional houses which may be required in rural districts to meet other needs. Since 1st April, 1933, 5,990 houses have, however, been approved for erection without Exchequer assistance by rural district councils to meet other needs, and of this number 3,136 are completed.