§ Dr. O'DONOVANasked the Minister of Health if his housing officers are in regular consultation with the local authorities responsible for housing in Stepney; and is he in a position to make a statement on the efforts being made now, and on those now being planned?
46W
Sir H. YOUNGThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The borough council are clearing two areas containing 315 houses and providing new accommodation for 1,963 persons with assistance under the Housing Act, 1923. They are purchasing under the Act of 1930 an area containing 72 houses and are about to commence rehousing work on this area. The provision of rehousing accommodation on two further sites is under consideration. 23 dwellings provided under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, are approaching completion. The London County Council are clearing two areas in the borough containing 682 houses with assistance under the Act of 1923 and providing now accommodation for 4,306 persons. They are arranging with a public utility society for the rehousing of the occupants of an area to be cleared which contains 45 houses. Orders made by the county council for the purchase of two areas containing 41 houses have been the subject of proceedings in the Courts which terminated successfully for the council on Thursday last. The purchase of further sites for rehousing is under consideration.