Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health what was the number of houses which, according to survey made by local 1239W authorities under Section 1 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, were required to make good the shortage in 1919, the number of houses erected since that date, and the balance still required; and, if he does not accept that number as now being necessary, what figure does he consider a correct estimate of present needs and upon what evidence is his estimate based?
§ Sir A. M0NDThe gross estimate according to the survey, to which the hon. Member refers, of the number of houses required to meet the shortage due to overcrowding was 506,700. Information as to the number of unsubsidised houses built since 1919 is not available, but the number of houses completed under the State assisted schemes on 1st June was 149,207. The difference between the two figures quoted is 357,493, but the hon. Member must not take it that I regard that as representing the present effective demand for houses of this type. I have on previous occasions pointed out to him the difficulties in arriving at the figure of effective demand.