§ 66. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Health whether old cottages, considered unfit for habitation, must be demolished in order to qualify for Exchequer subsidy any new houses built to receive the families displaced?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir. If, upon the service of a formal notice under Section it of the Housing Act, 1936, the local authority obtain an undertaking to close the old cottage for human habitation until in their view it has been rendered fit for the purpose, the Exchequer subsidy is payable in respect of any new house provided for the family displaced, notwithstanding that the old house has not actually been demolished. The continuance of the annual Exchequer payments would not be prejudiced by the fact that the old cottage was subsequently reconstructed.