Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether the Hanworth Public Utility Society, Limited, have received a subsidy from the Government and, if so, what is the amount; whether he is aware that the society, in the prospectus issued by it in 1920, undertook on the strength of the financial assistance to be received from public funds to provide houses for approximately £950, payable as to £250 by loan stock to be taken up by the purchaser on a certain basis, and as to the balance by seven annual payments of £23 5s. and 43 annual payments of £29 15s. 8d.; that after a certain number of houses had been built, stockholders were informed that these could be purchased for £l,000, less the Government subsidy of £260, with an annual payment of £78 over a shorter period of years; that this alteration in terms has made it impossible for a number of stock subscribers in the society, many of them ex-service men of limited means, to proceed with the purchase of their houses, and that in such cases the society has refused to return to subscribers the amount of their loan; whether the conditions of purchase laid down by the society in the first place were placed before his Department before arrangements were made for the payment of the building subsidy; and if, in view of the serious hardship caused to many persons owing to this action on the part of the society, he will cause inquiry to be made into the matter to see whether any action can be taken by the Government to enforce compliance by the society with its original undertakings, or else to compel it to 921W return moneys deposited by subscribers who are unable to carry out the revised conditions of purchase?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThis society erected 18 houses with the approval of the Department under provisions of the Housing Act, 1919, relating to public utility societies, whereby annual subsidies are payable equivalent to 50 per cent. Of the loan charges until 1927, and 30 per cent. Thereafter. A sum of £350 has been paid to date. The society also erected 52 houses under the scheme for payment of subsidies (£260) to persons erecting houses under Section 1 of the Housing Additional Powers Act, and has received subsidies amounting to £13,520. My right hon. Friend is in communication with the Registrar of Friendly Societies as to the present position of this society, and will communicate further with the hon. gallant Member.