§ 27. Mr. Wilkesasked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities who have submitted schemes for his approval under Part 2 of the Housing Act, 1949, whereby, subject to certain conditions, they may obtain 75 per cent. Exchequer grants towards the cost of converting and improving old houses into satisfactory housing accommodation; whether he is satisfied that local authorities are availing themselves sufficiently of the assistance provided by this Act; and what improvement or conversion scheme under the Act the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne has submitted.
§ Mr. BevanInformation in the form required is not readily available, but I am aware that many local authorities are considering schemes of this kind. No formal submission has yet been made by Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
§ Mr. WilkesIn view of the valuable assistance which is given to local authorities in Part II of the Housing Act, and in view of the very small number of authorities which utilise these provisions, would the Minister consider cricularising local authorities and drawing their atten- the great assistance that can be given to them?
§ Mr. BevanI have given local authorities detailed information in circulars issued last year on this matter, but local authority schemes will take some time to prepare as they involve a large number of houses. I am hoping that 1234 local authorities will use these powers, because if they made use of them many applicants on housing lists would remove their names.
§ Mr. BevanI think the Question refers to local authority schemes, and not to schemes by private owners.
§ 32 and 33. Mr. Wilkesasked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that in the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne only 387 council houses were completed during 1949; whether he will make inquiries as to the exact number and extent to which the corporation failed to avail itself of its 1949 allocation and the reasons for such failure; and whether he will further inquire why the building programme in Newcastle is proceeding at such an unsatisfactory rate whilst other towns in the area are obtaining additional housing allocations from his Department owing to their being able to complete the original allocation within the prescribed time;
(2) whether he is aware that, in spite of Newcastle-upon-Tyne being allocated approximately 1,000 houses for completion during 1950, it is now estimated that only some 600 council houses or less will be completed during 1950; whether he will ascertain the reason why, for the second year in succession, Newcastle should fail to build up to its allocation, whether he will now state the number of houses at present actually under construction in the city; and what action he is intending to take to remedy this serious situation and help the 14,000 people on the waiting list.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware that the numbers of houses completed and under construction fall considerably below the allocations, and I am instructing my officers to continue their discussions with the city corporation with a view to the removal of the difficulties which have given rise to delay. Statistics as to the number of houses completed and under construction are given in the Housing Return.