HC Deb 12 March 1925 vol 181 cc1545-6W
Viscount SANDON

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to proposals for the formation of public-utility societies or similar bodies to undertake the repair and reconstruction of unsatisfactory property and the rehousing in new buildings of the occupants of such property and, for this purpose, to raise funds by public subscription to supplement the assistance which may be given by local authorities; and whether, in view of the need of houses at specially low rents for the rehousing of the tenants of insanitary property, he will be prepared to encourage co-operation between such societies and the local authorities on the lines indicated

Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN

I should welcome the co-operation of voluntary societies in the reconstruction of insanitary property and the rehousing of the occupants, and should be glad to render any assistance which lies within my powers.

Major RUGGLES-BRISE

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the method of assessing compensation under Section 9 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, is causing hardship to owners of small property where such property is being compulsorily taken; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Unhealthy Areas Committee, appointed by his predecessor, unanimously recommended that this system of compensation should be abandoned and an alternative system introduced, he will give instructions that the consideration of the amount of compensation to be paid for properties which at present come within Section 9 of the Act of 1919, shall remain in abeyance until the Act has been amended as advised by the Unhealthy Areas Committee, so as to secure reasonable compensation being paid 'o those who are being compulsorily dispossessed of their property?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

As I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Rentoul), I do not at present contemplate introducing legislation on this matter, as further experience of the working of the existing Act is, in my opinion, necessary. I have no authority to give instructions that the provisions of Section 9 of the Act of 1919 shall remain in abeyance.

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