§ Mr. G. WARDasked the Minister of Health what is the annual loss to the Exchequer in respect of the houses built under the Addison Scheme; what is the annual cost of collecting the rents of these houses; and if he is prepared to consider applications from the tenants to purchase at current market value with a view to reducing this cost?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe annual loss to the Exchequer in respect of houses erected under the provision of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, is estimated at £7,700,000. The annual cost 1381W of collection of rents, including cost of management, is approximately £250,000. Local authorities have been authorised by my Department from the outset to accept applications from tenants to buy the houses at market value if this can be done without increasing the annual loss.