§ 13. Sir GEORGE MITCHESONasked the Minister of Health whether he can make a statement as to the progress in respect of slum clearance and the abatement of overcrowding?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Kinglsey Wood)Some 25,000 slum dwellers are being re-housed month by month under the five-year slum clearance plan and the total at the end of August was some 450,000. I have fixed "appointed days" for overcrowding in respect of 1,320 of the total 1,536 authorities. For 1,284 the appointed day is 1st January next, and for 36 it is 1st April next, and re-housing proposals to abate overcrowding are now under active consideration.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIn any of these housing schemes, are the people being housed in tall tenements or lower buildings?
§ Sir K. WOODI think there is a variety.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the right hon. Gentleman see that, if they are put into these tenements, they are provided with lifts, as it is hard work for the people to climb the stairs?
§ Mr. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the difficulty in many towns is due to the fact that the ordinary landlord will not let houses to people who have large families?
§ Sir K. WOODPerhaps the hon. Member will communicate to me any cases he has in mind.