§ Mr. POTTSasked the Minister of Health the number of houses built under the Housing Acts in the 13 mining districts of Great Britain, showing the number in each district; and whether any special provision has been made for the erection of houses in the mining areas in Kent and in the new colliery districts in the vicinity of Doncaster?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI regret that as housing statistics are not classified in mining areas I am unable to give the information in the form desired by the hon. Member. The following statement, however, shows for England and Wales the numbers of houses which had been completed since 1919 in connection with subsidy schemes under the Housing Acts up to the 1st March, 1927, in the areas of local authorities, where the mining population in 1921 exceeded 20 per cent. of the total population.
Counties in which these areas are situated. Houses completed with State-Assistance. Northumberland 5,327 Durham 12,762 Cumberland 1,288 York, West Riding 25,347 Derby 7,675 Leicester 701 Nottingham 7,755 Warwickshire 2,983 Lancashire 5,498 Staffordshire 6,064 Salop 21 Gloucester 312 Somerset 585 Denbigh 1,263 Flint 38 Brecknock 192 Carmarthen 1,373 Glamorgan 6,194 Monmouth 3,609 In addition to these houses numbers have also been erected by private enterprise without subsidy under the Housing Acts. As regards Scotland I would suggest that the hon. Member should address a similar question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.
I may add, in reply to the last part of the question that considerable areas of land have been acquired for the erection of houses for miners in the Kent coalfield, and these are to be developed on 226W Garden City lines by a Public Utility Society. Some 1,200 houses are projected, and construction has already commenced. In the Doncaster area a number of the Colliery Companies have made arrangements with the Industrial Housing Association for the erection of houses on some 14 sites. Over 6,500 houses have so far been approved for the grant of loan or subsidy, and some 4,300 subsidy houses have been completed. In addition authority has been given for the erection of over 12,400 houses in connection with the subsidy schemes administered by local authorities in this area, and so far 9,300 of these houses have been completed.