§ 70. Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that when the West Ham Board of Guardians was abolished there were debt and loans amounting to £1,630,000, including Goschen loans, and that the West Ham Corporation was called upon to repay principal and interest £630,579 of that amount, costing the ratepayers £41,000 401 per annum until 1948, which is more than a 7d. rate; and, seeing that the rates are now 20s. 4d. in the £, whether he will take steps to grant a moratorium for the next three years?
§ Mr. BernaysBy the terms of the Local Government Act, 1929, the duties and liabilities of the West Ham Guardians for the area of the West Ham County Borough Council were transferred to the county borough including loans made on the recommendation of the Goschen Committee amounting to £620,579. The Act remitted payment of interest in respect of this loan and other similar loans to other authorities and provided for repayment of the capital sum by 15 annual payments which in the case of West Ham amounts to £41,372 per annum of which seven instalments have been paid. My right hon. Friend has no power to extend the period of repayment or to make further concessions in respect of these loans.
§ Mr. ThorneIn consequence of the financial strain will the Minister be prepared to see a deputation from the borough council?
§ Mr. BernaysI shall be glad to convey my hon. Friend's suggestion to my right hon. Friend.