§ Mr. W. SMITHasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that nearly two years have now elapsed since the commencement of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, and that no new houses have even been commenced by the Rural District Council of the Isle of Wight, he will now take the necessary steps to place that authority in default and will himself cause to be erected throughout the area of that authority such number of new houses as may be required for the proper accommodation of the working classes at rents which the local labourers can reasonably afford to pay?
§ Sir A. MONDI am not prepared to take the course suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. W. SMITHasked the Minister of Health what number of houses for the working classes within the meaning of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, have been inspected by the Rural District Council of the Isle of Wight since the commencement of that Act, with a view to ascertaining what closing orders should be issued or what notices should be served under Section 15 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, or Section 28 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919; what number of closing orders have during that period been issued by 2365W that authority; what number of such notices have during that period been served by that authority; how many of those closing orders have been determined on completion of the necessary repairs; how many of such undetermined closing orders have been enforced; in how many cases the requirements of the notices so served have been duly complied with; and in how many cases where those requirements have not been duly complied with the local authority have themselves executed the repairs necessary to render the premises in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation?
§ Sir A. MONDThe detailed particulars desired by the hon. Member are not all in my possession. I understand, however, that during the two years ended 31st December, 1920, 589 inspections of houses were made under Section 17 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909. A large number of inspections were also made under the Public Health Acts. During the same period, 10 closing orders were made, 4 closing orders were determined on completion of the necessary works, and 321 notices under Section 28 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, were served.