§ Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Health whether houses built by the 966W Vulcan Motor Company, Southport, for workpeople, were built to specifications laid down by the Ministry; whether the rent fixed was also determined by the Ministry; whether the majority of these houses are still unlet owing to the rent being in excess of the ability of the workpeople to pay the rent required by his Department; and what steps he proposes to take to secure the tenancy of these houses at rents within the means of those for whom they were erected?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe houses in question have been built with the assistance of the private builders' subsidy provided by Section 1 of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, and in accordance with the provisions of that Section the houses are required to comply with the conditions prescribed. The rent of these houses is not determined by the Ministry. The houses remain the property of the builders who are entitled to make their own conditions as to letting or sale.