HC Deb 26 November 1928 vol 223 cc53-5W
Mr. HAYES

asked the Minister of Health whether the accounts of the Daison housing scheme, Torquay, have been audited.?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The accounts of this borough are not subject to audit by the district auditor except as regards particular subjects, of which housing under the Act of 1923 is not one. In regard to this the district auditor gives a certificate on certain points, but his certificate is not material for the purpose of the present questions. I do not know whether the elective auditors have audited the accounts.

Mr. HAYES

asked the Minister of Health whether he approved a scheme submitted by the Torquay corporation for the erection of houses on the Daison estate; and whether he accepted as reasonable the prices charged to purchasers?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I assume that the bon. Member's question has reference to the grant of assistance by the Torquay Town Council, under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, for the erection of houses by private enterprise on the estate in question. The grant of assistance in individual cases does not require my approval, but sanction was given by me to the Town Council's general scheme of assistance to private enterprise, which included a condition that the maximum selling price of houses in respect of which subsidy was promised should not exceed £600, inclusive of land, but on the basis that the builder would in addition be entitled to receive the subsidy. I understand that this scheme was brought to an end nearly three years ago.

Mr. HAYES

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any representations from ratepayers of Torquay with regard to the administration of the housing scheme on the Daison estate; and whether, in view of the allegations made, he will order an inquiry?.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I received certain representations with regard to the scheme of the Torquay Town Council for the assistance of private enterprise under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, but as I have previously stated in reply to similar questions on the subject, I was satisfied, after careful consideration, that there would be no advantage to the public generally, or to the purchasers of subsidy houses in particular, in now holding an inquiry.