§ Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the handicap in obtaining housing accommodation placed upon many poor people with families because of their inability to put down any lump sum towards the purchase of a house and the disinclination of many landlords to let apartments to tenants with families; and will he consider meeting this difficulty by an amendment of the law that would permit local authorities to lend the whole of the purchase price of a house instead of 90 per cent., as at present?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe question of the maximum amount of loan which local authorities should advance under the Housing Acts and the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act was fully discussed during the passing of the 1923 Housing Bill, and 621W it was felt that the extension of the amount which could be advanced to 90 per cent. of the value was as far as it was possible prudently to go. I would point out, however, that one of the special conditions of the letting of houses erected by local authorities under the Housing Act of 1924 is that reasonable preference shall be given to large families.