§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the strong feeling on the part of local authorities in Ireland that the present scheme of housing subsidy based on the amount of rent obtainable fails to give the greatest proportion of assistance in the hard-pressed areas, and that they demand in substitution a subsidy of 6 per cent. on £20,000,000 of an expenditure on slums and a subsidy of 5¼ per cent. on £30,000,000 for the better class houses; and whether, with a view to the better promotion of housing in Ireland, he will consider this proposal?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am aware of the existence of a feeling that the terms of the Housing Subsidy are unsatisfactory, but the demand for an increased subsidy based on a proportionate increase in capital expenditure rather than on rents collected is one to which in principle the Government could not in present circumstances accede.