HOUSES BUILT. (Hansard, 22 November 1926)

§ Mr. SCURR
asked the Minister of Health how many of the houses built during the last three years by private enterprise have been for sale, and how many for letting; and the same information for municipal houses?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
During the last three years 35;.065 houses have been built by private enterprise and 108,036 by local authorities Information is not available as to the number of houses which have been built for sale and for letting, but, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, houses built under the Housing Act of 1924 must be available for letting.

§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE
asked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected in purely rural areas yearly during the past four years specifying the various Acts under which they have been erected; and how many have been erected in these areas without public assistance?
49W

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
Apart from houses erected in agricultural parishes with the aid of the increased subsidy authorised by the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, the statistics obtained from local authorities in connection with the erection of houses do

— Number of houses completed in Rural Districts during the year ended September. Total for4 year.

1923. 1924. 1925. 1926.

1. State-assisted Schemes:—

^*(1) Housing, Town Planning Act, 1919. 5,200 (approx.) 983 260 112 6,555 (approx.)

^*(2) Housing, etc., Act, 1923 33 8,829 21,438 24,276 54,576

(3) Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924:—

(a) In Agricultural Parishes — — 400 1,883 2,283

(b) In Other Parishes — — 1,127 3,875 5,002

Totals (State-assisted) 5.233 9,812 23,225 30,146 68,416

^*2. Non-subsidy building 19,600 (approx.) 23,632 20,337 19,200 (approx.) 82,769 (approx.)

Totals 24,833 (approx.) 33,444 43,562 49,346 151,185 (approx.)

^*Statistics are not available showing the number of houses erected in agricultural parishes under the Acts of 1919 and 1923, or under non-subsidy schemes.

§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWN
asked the Minister of Health how many completed houses which have received the subsidy under the 1923 Act are for sale and unoccupied; and whether he will amend the Act to ensure that any house which has been helped by subsidy must be occupied and either let or sold within six months of its completion?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
Statistics are not available showing the number of houses erected in connection with schemes under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, which are for sale and unoccupied. With regard to the last part of the question I do not think that legislation on the lines suggested would be likely to effect the objects desired.

—	Number of houses completed in Rural Districts during the year ended September.	Total for4 year.
1923.	1924.	1925.	1926.
1. State-assisted Schemes:—
^*(1) Housing, Town Planning Act, 1919.	5,200 (approx.)	983	260	112	6,555 (approx.)
^*(2) Housing, etc., Act, 1923	33	8,829	21,438	24,276	54,576
(3) Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924:—
(a) In Agricultural Parishes	—	—	400	1,883	2,283
(b) In Other Parishes	—	—	1,127	3,875	5,002
Totals (State-assisted)	5.233	9,812	23,225	30,146	68,416
^*2. Non-subsidy building	19,600 (approx.)	23,632	20,337	19,200 (approx.)	82,769 (approx.)
Totals	24,833 (approx.)	33,444	43,562	49,346	151,185 (approx.)
^*Statistics are not available showing the number of houses erected in agricultural parishes under the Acts of 1919 and 1923, or under non-subsidy schemes.