75. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in England and Wales have made application to him since 1st September, 1939, for sanction to make advances to persons desiring to purchase houses under the provisions of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts, 1899 to 1923; how such applications have been disposed of by him; and whether he is continuing to encourage this movement without interruption during the war?
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Elliot)I have no record of the number of applications received but during the three months ended 31st December, 1939, I gave consents to loans amounting in all to more than £250,000 to enable 67 local authorities to make advances promised by them under the Acts. I am not satisfied that there is any general demand for such advances at present and I cannot undertake to encourage local authorities to make them, in view of the Government's policy with regard to the use of capital by local authorities. I will send the hon. Member a copy of a circular issued by the Treasury in this connection.