§ Mr. R. M'LARENasked the President of the Local Government Board if the houses built at the instance of the Minister of Munitions during the War in the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire had no washhouse accommodation attached; why the Local Government Board refuses to have wash-houses put in, notwithstanding the Report of the medical officer of health, who certifies that these houses are without proper washhouse accommodation, and in that respect are unfit for human habitation?
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§ Mr. MUNROOut of 550 houses erected in Lanarkshire during the War at the instance of the Minister of Munitions, 430 are specially equipped with wash tubs in addition to sinks. Owing to the need for economy in materials during the War, and to the desirability of providing a type of house that could be let at a lower rental,120 houses were not provided with wash-tubs, but were equipped with larger sinks so as to permit washing being performed therein. The Local Government Board have not refused to have washhouses put in. On the contrary, they have expressed the view that wash-tubs would be a very desirable improvement, and the Minister of Munitions to whom the houses belong, has stated his willingness to reconsider the matter at a later date, when conditions as regards cost and consequent adjustment of rental have become more normal.