§ 58. Mr. Cocksasked the Minister of Health whether he will state how many urban district councils and rural district councils have put into operation the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts, 1899, 1923 and 1935; the amount of the loans that have been borrowed by these local authorities; and the number of persons in England and Wales who have availed themselves of the provisions of the said Acts?
§ Mr. ElliotUp to the end of September last, the latest date to which figures are available, 290 such authorities have put these Acts into operation and have advanced sums amounting to some £18,250,000 in respect of about 39,00o houses. The number of houses in England and Wales in respect of which loans under these Acts were advanced to the end of last September was about 150,000. They were made by 750 authorities and amounted to about £74,000,000.
§ Mr. CocksIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress made under these Acts, and the number of councils which have adopted them?
§ Mr. ElliotI think the figures disclose very considerable progress.
§ 64. Mr. McEnteeasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider extending the power now granted to local authorities under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act to enable them to grant loans for the purchase of furniture to a limited amount and at the same rate of interest as is charged for money loaned to purchase the dwelling-house?
§ Mr. ElliotLocal authorities already have power under Section 72 of the Housing Act, 1936, to provide furniture for tenants of municipal houses. I regret that I cannot contemplate the introduction of legislation for the purpose referred to by the hon. Member.