HC Deb 16 July 1925 vol 186 cc1544-5W
Mr. THOMSON

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses under construction and authorised to be built under the various Housing Acts?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

On the 1st instant, 62.230 houses very under construction in connection with schemes under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924. In addition, contracts had been let or definite arrangements made for the erection of 5,213. and a further 05,590 had been authorised but not definitely arranged for.

Mr. THOMSON

asked the Minister of Health the average number of workmen's dwelling-houses built each year for the two decennial periods before the War

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Statistics are not available as to the number of working-class houses erected before the War, but from figures taken from Inland Revenue returns as to Inhabited House Duty, it appears that the average annual increase in the number of houses exempt from such duty by reason of being less than £20 annual value was

In the decennial period, 1895–1904 ߪ 70,051
In the decennial period,1905–1914 ߪ 62,859

Mr. THOMSON

asked the Minister of Health the annual rate of production at the present time of workmen's dwellings from all sources?

The latest figures available for the total number of houses built in a year show that during the year ended 31st March, 1925, there were completed:

Houses under State-assisted
schemes 67,669
Unassisted 69,220
A total of 136,889

If, for the purposes of the question, we take into account, of the unsubsidised houses, only those having a rateable value of less than £26 a year (or £35 in London), the total number of working-class houses built in the year was 117,817.