§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the increasing loss of rates to towns owing to the existence of large 2495W empty houses for which there is no demand; and whether he will consider giving further assistance to owners to enable them to reconstruct such dwellings for the use of tenants who cannot afford to pay large rents, in order to relieve both the housing shortage and also benefit the rates of different towns?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware of the existence in some districts of large empty houses for which there is no demand. Local authorities already have power under the Housing Act, 1923, to afford assistance by means of loans and refund of rates to owners desiring to convert such houses into flats, and I am afraid I cannot at present undertake to introduce legislation for the purpose of extending the existing facilities.