59. Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Health whether, taking the number of houses built since 1918 and the number demolished since that date, he can state the approximate net increase?
§ Sir K. WoodI regret that I have no complete information in regard to the number of houses demolished since 1918, as the figures of demolitions furnished to my Department relate only to slum clearance operations. At 30th September, 1937, 151,844 houses had been demolished in connection with those operations. The Ridley Committee on the Rent Restrictions Acts estimated that the total number of houses demolished in England and Wales since 1914 for all purposes other than slum clearance is about 60,000. On the basis of these figures the net increase in the number of houses between 1918 and 30th September, 1937, in England and Wales was in round figures 3,300,000.
§ Mr. MaxtonMay I remind the right hon. Gentleman that we were to have a great war on the slums, and will he say whether this is it?
§ Sir K. WoodThe figures I have given show that great progress has been made. I do not know what the hon. Gentleman thinks about it.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsDo not the Census returns show that between 1921 and 1931 some 200,000 houses were demolished?
§ Mr. MaxtonThat was before the war on the slums.