HC Deb 28 November 1917 vol 99 cc2051-2W
Major COURTHOPE

asked the President of the Local Government Board when effect will be given to the promise made by his predecesor, the right hon. Member for the Cleveland Division of Yorkshire, that, when providing houses for their employés, county councils should be placed in the same financial position as local authorities under the Housing Acts?

Mr. FISHER

The matter is at present engaging my attention.

Sir ALFRED GELDER

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the state of overcrowding at Scunthorpe and Frodingham, North Lincolnshire, occasioned by the influx of munition workers during the past two years; whether he is aware that in the near future it is expected that the increase of population will be from 24,000 to 25,000 without any provision being made for decently housing the inhabitants; and whether, under these circumstances, he will at once send a Government inspector to hold an inquiry and, if necessary, project a scheme of housing, either by private or public enterprise, to meet the exceptional difficulty which has arisen in this area?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. The attention of the Ministry of Munitions has been called to the housing conditions boil at Scunthorpe and Frodingham. Information is being obtained as to the number of munition workers expected to be imported month by month into the district, and as to the number of additional houses consequently required. A scheme for the erection of houses is under consideration.