§ Mr. Flemingasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in areas cleared under the Housing Act, 1936, Manchester Corporation, in the purported exercise of the powers of the Manchester Improvement Act, 1851, is attempting to acquire sites of streets and, by so doing, is reducing the areas of cleared sites to sizes so small as to render them useless for any purpose, and thereby is aggravating the losses sustained by owners in demolishing their premises; and if he will take steps to prevent the abuse of the Act of 1851 by applying it for purposes for which it was not intended?
§ Sir K. WoodThe Manchester Improvement Act, 1851, empowers the corporation to close streets. I understand that the corporation have been using these powers to close streets flanking houses demolished by the clearance of areas under the Housing Act, 1936. I am not aware that the council's policy is having the effect which my hon. Friend alleges, but if he has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.