§ 37. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many schemes under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, 1926 and 1938, for which labour is available are being held up pending an increase in the £100 grant; and whether he can now state what this increase will be and from what date it will become effective.
§ Mr. WillinkAs I indicated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Linstead) on 25th May, I hope in due course to be submitting the Government's proposals for the amendment of these Acts on the lines recommended by the Rural Housing Sub-Committee of my Central Housing Advisory Committee.
§ Sir W. SmithersCannot my right hon. and learned Friend give an approximate date?
§ Mr. WillinkNo, Sir.
§ 40. Mr. Priceasked the Minister of Health how many applications for the reconditioning of rural houses have come to his Department for sanction during the last 12 months; and how many have been sanctioned.
§ Mr. WillinkOne hundred and sixty-eight applications have been submitted and 167 approved, but applications for works costing less than £250 have, since October, 1943, been dealt with by the local authorities without reference to my Department and this limit was raised to £500 in January last.
§ Mr. PriceWhen must the local authority apply to the Minister, and when can they act on their own?
§ Mr. WillinkWhen the cost is over £500, application has to be made to me.