Mr. PALMERasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a report, of a meeting of the Dawley (Salop) Urban Council, at which a representative of the Ministry attended with a view to urging the Council to take prompt action in respect of housing; whether the Council, in view of their financial position, declined to proceed with any housing scheme until they were assured that all expenditure above the 247W sum to be raised by a penny rate would be promptly met By the State; and whether, as the attitude adopted by the Dawley Urban Council is expected by other local authorities in many parts of the country, he can give the necessary assurance, namely, that without any embarrassing delay the difference between the amount raised by a penny rate and the cost of any housing scheme will be defrayed out of the National Exchequer?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, Sir; I have received a report of the meeting referred to, but there is no ground for the local authority's apprehensions. Subject to their compliance with the Regulations, the deficit on their Housing (Assisted Schemes) Account during the progress of the scheme and the estimated average annual deficit after the scheme has been completed will be borne by the Exchequer, after credit has been given for the proceeds of a penny rate and local authorities have been informed that payment will be made by two half-yearly instalments during the financial year in which their charges fall due. The Housing Commissioner is taking the matter up with the Dawley Urban District Council with a view to removing any misunderstanding which exists.