§ Mr. W. BENNETTasked the Minister of Health how many public inquiries concerning housing have been asked for, and how many have been refused, since 1924; and why private instead of public inquiries have been held in some cases?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs I informed the hon. Member in reply to his previous question on the 25th ultimo, I have no record of the number of requests made for public local inquiries: nor have I a record of the number of requests refused. With regard to the last part of the question, I am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind. The administration of the Housing Acts is carried on principally by means of correspondence, interviews, and, where necessary, informal inspections. A formal local inquiry is held only when such a course appears to be necessary or desirable, having regard to all the circumstances. Such inquiries are open to the public.