30. Mr. Whiteleyasked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to arrange for the same terms to be provided for local authorities in the Special Areas similar to that received by housing associations from the Special Commissioner?
§ Mr. ElliotNo, Sir. The financial arrangements between the Exchequer and local authorities in respect of Housing were settled by Parliament only last year, and I see no reason to anticipate the review of those arrangements, which by Statute is fixed to take place after the beginning of October, 1941.
Mr. WhiteleyAre we to understand from that reply that those local authorities who have not been assisted by housing associations are to be forced to find the whole of the money out of local rates.
§ Mr. ElliotThose local authorities who have not taken advantage of the special arrangements will, of course, not receive the advantage of them.
Mr. WhiteleyWhy is it that the Minister cannot give directly to these local authorities the same assistance as is given by the commissioner?
§ Mr. ElliotThese are questions that should be discussed when the legislation is introduced.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisHow is it that the Local Loans Fund has recently charged a higher rate of interest on loans to local authorities?