§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Health Committee of the Bradford Corporation has announced through its chairman its intention to let houses, costing at least £1,000 each, at 10s. per week, inclusive of rates, which are 16s. 10d. in the £, besides water charges; that the interest on each house is not less than £63 a year; that the net rent will not be more than £13 a year, leaving a loss on each house of £50 a year; that contracts have been given out for 1,132 such houses and that the annual loss on these will be not less than £56,600 a year; that a penny rate is estimated to realise £7,000, leaving the taxpayers to find nearly £50,000 a year to subsidise the houses already contracted for, without any provision for a sinking fund for the repayment of the housing bonds when due; and how does he intend to deal with this business?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware of the proposals to which the hon. Member refers. It is of the first importance to all concerned that the best rents reasonably obtainable should be paid for the new972W houses, and I have informed the Bradford Corporation that I cannot regard the proposed rents as sufficient for the purpose of the Housing Acts and Regulations. Unless I am able to induce the Corporation to agree to a substantial increase in the rents proposed it will be necessary to refer the case to the Arbitration Tribunal set up under the Local Authorities (Assisted Housing Scheme) Regulations, 1919.