§ 58. Sir George Mitchesonasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the heavy fall in the value of the building plans approved by local authorities in the south-eastern counties in September of this year as compared with September of last year; and whether he is in a position to furnish any explanation as to the fall in this area at a time when building plans for the rest of the country show an increase?
§ Sir K. WoodI am aware of the facts referred to by my hon. Friend. I understand, however, that the value of building plans for September, 1936, in the south-eastern counties was abnormally high. My hon. Friend is, no doubt, aware that the value of house-building plans has, as I explained yesterday, declined for the country owing to the falling off of certain private enterprise building. So far as building by local authorities for the purposes of slum clearance and the abatement of overcrowding is concerned, my Department has given more approvals this year than last.