§ Mr. GOULDasked the Minister of Health for the latest available figures of agricultural cottages reconstructed or passed by the county councils under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926?
§ Mr. GREENWOODUp to the end of March last, the latest date for which information is at present available, assistance had been promised in connection with schemes may by county councils under the Act in question in respect of 1,163 dwellings, work had been finished on 615 dwellings and was in progress on a further 438 dwellings. The similar figures at that date in connection with schemes made by all local authorities (including county councils), who are authorities for the purposes of the Act, were 1,594, 836 and 594 dwellings, respectively.
§ Mr. GOULDasked the Minister of Health the most recent contract price for the building of working-class houses 642W suitable for agricultural workers, with three bedrooms, sanctioned by the Ministry; what public subsidy is being provided; and what rents it is proposed to charge?
§ Mr. GREENWOODPrices vary according to the size of house, locality, and nature and accessibility of site. The average price in a number of contracts recently notified to my Department for three-bedroom non-parlour houses to be erected by local authorities in agricultural parishes is £359. These houses are to be erected with the aid of Exchequer subsidy under the Act of 1924, namely, £11 per house per annum for 40 years. I have no information as to the rents to be charged. They must be fixed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Act, and my specific approval is not required.