§ Mr. BUXTONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the defective condition of numerous houses in Bedford Cottages, Bedford Terrace, and Upper Manor Street, in the parish of St. Luke's, Chelsea; and whether he has satisfied himself that the requirements of the Housing Acts have been properly carried out with regard to them?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSo far as I am aware, no representation has been made to me regarding the sanitary condition of the properties referred to. I have no reason to suppose that the Chelsea Metropolitan Borough Council are not578W carrying out their duties under the Housing Acts.
§ Mr. BUXTONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the rents charged by the borough council of Chelsea for the houses built, under the Addison Act, at Hortensia Gardens, King's Road, Chelsea; and whether his Department will take steps to reduce them so as to render the houses available for the working classes?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe fixing of rents of houses built under the Housing Act, 1919, is a matter within the discretion of the local authority subject to certain rules laid down in Regulations under the Act. I have to satisfy myself, in determining the amount of Exchequer assistance to be granted in respect of a scheme that the rents are sufficient and this was agreed with the borough council as regards the flats referred to, at the time they were built. Under the Addison Act, the liability of the local authorities in respect of housing is limited to a 1d. rate, any further loss falling on the taxpayer. I know of no reason why in this case the rents should be varied so as to throw a further charge on the Exchequer. In undertaking this scheme the council were catering for the better-paid members of the working class, and the weekly payments in respect of the flats include a charge for certain special amenities.
§ Miss BONDFIELDasked the Minister of Health when a beginning will be made in building working-class houses on the two acres of land recently purchased under the sanction of his Department in the King's Road, Chelsea; will he state what was the price sanctioned per acre; whether the land was frontage land with vacant possession; and whether he has consented to this land being leased on long lease to the Guinness Trust?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend is not in a position to say when building will commence on the site in question. The area of this site is 1.9 acres, and it was purchased for £19,000. The site has frontages on King's Road, Edith Grove and Tadema Road, and was understood to be subject to certain leases terminable at short notice. The question of leaving 579W this site to the Guinness Trust is at present under consideration by the Chelsea Metropolitan Borough Council, but no application for my right hon. Friend's consent has yet been made.
§ Miss BONDFIELDasked the Minister of Health whether he has received representations and complaints concerning the insanitary condition of Little Orford Street, Ives Street, Feltham Mews, Green Street, Francis Street, and Leverett Street, in the near neighbourhood of Cadogan Square, Chelsea; whether he has caused investigation to be made concerning the same; whether he has drawn the attention of the borough council of Chelsea to such complaints; and, if so, what the reply of the council on the matter has been?
§ Sir K. WOODSo far as I am aware, no representations have been made to my right hon. Friend respecting the sanitary condition of the particular area referred to.
§ Miss BONDFIELDasked the Minister of Health when the decision and Report of his Department upon the slum-clearance scheme recently promoted by the borough council of Chelsea is expected to be published; approximately how many working-class houses will be supplied by it; approximately what subsidies from the Ministry and from the London County Council will be available to relieve the ratepayers of Chelsea; how many pence or farthings per pound on the rates are expected to be incurred in respect of this scheme; and what authority will fix the rents to be charged for these new houses?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to say when a decision on this scheme will be given, but the matter is under consideration and a decision will be given as soon as possible. The scheme as submitted would involve the displacement of 379 persons of the working class, and rehousing provision for a like number is proposed. Section 1 (3) of the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, provides for Exchequer contribution in respect of schemes of this kind by way of annual payments not exceeding one-half the estimated average annual loss incurred by the local authority in the execution of the scheme. My right hon. Friend has no information as to any contribution580W to be made by the London County Council and is not at present in a position to state what amount is likely to fall upon the rates in respect of the scheme. In determining the amount of Exchequer contribution, my right hon. Friend would require to be satisfied as to the sufficiency of the rents, but the fixing of the rents will primarily be a matter for the authority carrying out the scheme.