§ Mr. GOULDasked the Minister of Health if, having regard to the pressing need for houses in the Central division of Cardiff, he will endeavour to give the Cardiff City Council authority to proceed with their scheme to acquire the Mynachty Farm at Gabulfa, for the erection of 880 houses, and not allow the matter to be delayed any longer?
§ Major ASTORThe application in regard to this site has been transmitted to the Housing Commissioner, to whom it should have been addressed by the city council in the first place. My right hon. Friend is communicating with the Commissioner, and hopes that a decision on the application will be given at an early date.
§ Mr. GOULDasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the serious shortage of housing accommodation in Cardiff Central; if since March, 1919, the Board have only sanctioned the acquirement of 1.86 acres of land, but not yet advised the city council of their approval to erect twenty-one houses thereon; and whether, seeing that the local authorities have been urgently pressing the housing developments, he will take steps to give authority to proceed forthwith with this scheme?
§ Major ASTORYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is aware that there is a serious shortage of housing accommodation. With regard to the particular scheme to which the hon. Member refers, approval of the house plans was given on the 24th April. I understand that the Council had same difficulty with regard to the tenders, but an application with regard to these has been received, and the tender has, subject to some modification designed to secure a reduction in the cost of the houses, been approved by the Ministry of Health.