Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Government subsidy under the 1923 Housing, Etc., Act is being given in the urban district of Cirencester in the case of houses which are being sold at prices of £900; and whether he proposes to continue the giving of subsidies under such conditions?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI have communicated with the local authority, and am informed that they are not aware of any cases in the district in which houses in respect of which subsidy is being given under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, are being sold at prices of £900. As regards the second part of the question, I should not be prepared to approve the grant of subsidies by local authorities in respect of houses having a selling value of £900.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the doubt which apparently exists as to the nature of houses for the erection of which it is contemplated giving financial assistance, he can give a definition of the expression working-class houses: and whether it is intended to give such assistance only to those engaged on manual labour?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYWhile I am clear that. the expression working classes cannot be limited to those engaged on manual labour I do not propose to attempt a definition which the House and previous Ministers of Health have refrained from giving. I do not think, however that local authorities generally find practical difficulty in satisfying themselves as to the kind of houses for which financial assistance should be given.