Mr. POINTERasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that in the proposed improvement scheme for the pier district of Dover sufficient accommodation will not be provided for the people displaced; and whether he will refuse to sanction the scheme unless adequate accommodation is to be provided?
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§ Mr. BURNSThe Corporation of Dover have been authorised by Parliament to carry out certain works in the pier district of the borough, and they propose to proceed with these works. The works involve the demolition of a considerable number of houses, and the corporation have submitted to the Local Government Board, under the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1903, proposals for the provision of accommodation for part of the working-class population to be displaced. Having regard to the works to be carried out in the area, to the fact that part of the land is to be transferred to the railway company, and to the nature and size of the sites which will then remain available for the erection of houses for the working classes, it would not be practicable to provide in a satisfactory manner for the housing in the area in question of the total number of persons to be displaced. The Board have intimated that they will accept a scheme for housing 450 persons in this area.