Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Health how many cast-iron houses of the Thorncliff type have been erected in England; whether he has made an investigation of the 250 now being built for the Corporation of Derby; and what conclusion he has reached as to the comparative merits of cast-iron and steel, with regard to probable length of life?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe total number of cast-iron houses of the Thorn-cliff type which have so far been authorised in England in connection with subsidy schemes under the Housing Acts is 264. I have no information as to how many of these houses have been completed. I have inspected the cast-iron houses which are being erected by the Derby Corporation, and a period of 40 years for the repayment of the loan sanctioned for the erection of these houses has been allowed. A similar period is1674W allowed for the repayment of loans raised for the erection of approved types of steel houses.