§ Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that local authorities who have applied to the Loan Commissioners for money for housing purposes have been told that it cannot be done and they must get money where they can; will he state the number and names of the authorities who have been given the above reply; and, if loans have been made, to how many authorities and what is the total amount?
§ Mr. BALDWINIn view of the limited amount of money available for the local loans fund, and the large prospective calls upon it the Treasury as stated in the Local Government Board Circulars are anxious that local authorities should raise loans in the open market, and it has been found necessary to restrict loans from the local loans fund to local authorities with a rateable value of less than £200,000. Loans have already been granted in respect of State-assisted housing schemes to three local authorities to the amount of £28,092, and other applications are in course of investigation.