§ Mr. D. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received a communication from the town clerk of Swansea in reference to an application from the tenants of houses erected by the corporation under assisted housing schemes of the Ministry of Health; is he aware that, owing to the distress prevailing through unemployment, and also the heavy reduction in wages that has taken place since the rents were fixed under Article 3196W VII (1) (a) of the Local Authorities (Assisted Housing Schemes) Regulation, 1919, the arrears are accumulating; and whether he will consider favourably an application for a reduction of an amount within the limits of the earnings of the tenants?
§ Sir M. BARLOWAn application for reduction of rents of houses erected at Swansea under the assisted housing schemes has been received and reductions have been agreed with the corporation in respect of the houses on several of the housing sites. Having regard to the prevailing rents of comparable houses in the district my right hon. Friend is unable to agree to any further reduction of rents now fixed.