§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir GEORGE ELLIOTTasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the terms of the circular letter of the 8th April, 1919, to local authorities to the effect that the Housing Commissioners have now taken up their duties, and are prepared to render to local authorities all the assistance in their power, and that local authorities should lose no time in placing themselves in communication with their Commissioner, his attention has been called to the fact that a Housing Commissioner for London has not yet been appointed; whether he can account for the delay in making such appointment; and when the appointment is likely to be made?
§ Major ASTORIn view of the magnitude and complicated nature of the housing problem in London, the Minister of Health has come to the conclusion that the appointment of a Commissioner would not alone be adequate, and has preferred up to the present to deal with cases arising in the Metropolitan area at the head office. He has, however, now decided to appoint a small Board (unpaid), consisting of the Members for the Brightside Division (Sir Tudor Walters), North Southwark (Mr. Strauss),and West Woolwich (Sir Kingsley Wood), for advising and assisting in the promotion of schemes in the Metropolitan area, and a chief administrative officer for the Metropolitan area to work in conjunction with that Board, under the Director-General for Housing.