Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Health whether he can give any information as to the. operation of the Octavia 1394W Hill system of women house-property managers as applied to any housing estates now being administered by local authorities, showing whether such management is proving to be economical and satisfactory?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend is not aware in how many housing estates now administered by local authorities the Octavia Hill system of women house-property managers is being worked, but he will make inquiries and communicate with the Noble Lady. The system has for many years been in operation on certain estates belonging to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and on Crown Lands, and has, my right hon. Friend is informed, proved to be both economical and satisfactory.
Viscountess ASTORasked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, how many houses under the control of the Office of Woods and Forests are managed on the Octavia, Hill system of women house-property management; whether he has any information showing the results up to date; and what is the approximate revenue per year derived from the London estates managed in this manner?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONAbout 850 houses under the charge of the Commissioners of Crown Lands (formerly Commissioners of Woods and Forests) are at the present time managed on the Octavia Hill system. This arrangement was first adopted on a small scale a few years ago, and has been gradually extended as circumstances enabled the Commissioners to acquire direct control through the expira- 1395W tion or sooner determination of the original building leases. Owing to the large outlay which was necessary in many cases to put the premises into a proper state of repair, the return has been smaller than it would be under normal conditions. The net receipt for the year to the 31st March last was about £35,000.