§ Mr. CLYNESasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the report of the Medical Officer of Health of the City of Manchester states that ten houses were condemned as unfit for human habitation in 1917; whether he is also aware that these houses have not been demolished; and whether the Manchester City Council or the Salford Borough Council have ever been notified of his intention to exercise the power conferred by Section 11 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909?
§ Major ASTORThe reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the last part in the negative. It does not appear, however, that the section referred to would apply to the case mentioned in the first part.
§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the number of dwellings that have been condemned by local authorities as being unfit for human habitation during the last five years?
§ Major ASTORI am not in a position to give the desired information in respect of any year subsequent to that ended 31st March, 1915. The Board's information was derived from returns made under Section 44 of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, but by the Local Government (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1916, the making of the returns was suspended during the War. So far as returns were received from local authorities in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1915, they show that closing orders in respect of houses unfit for human habitation were made as regards 8,630 houses.