§ Miss RATHBONEasked the Minister of Health whether he will so expedite the making up of accounts relevant to the cost of slum-clearance schemes under the Housing Act, 1923, that the House may have, at least, approximate figures showing the average expenditure per dwelling incurred out of public funds in, at least, some of the schemes carried out under existing legislation before it is asked to embark on a new policy of slum clearance under the promised new Bill?
§ Mr. GREENWOODAlthough, as I have informed the hon. Member, figures of average annual lose on slum clearance schemes have not in any case been fixed, the final accounts showing the capital cost of several of the completed schemes have been made up and estimates have been made of the probable average annual loss on the basis of present rents and on certain assumptions as to the selling price of the cleared sites. These estimates show as regards 10 completed schemes under the Housing Act, 1923, for which accounts have been received an average annual loss of about £2 per person displaced from the slum areas.
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§ Mr. J. GARDNERasked the Minister of Health the annual number of schemes for the improvement of unhealthy areas submitted to the Ministry from 1919 to 1929 and the number confirmed; how many schemes have been undertaken by local authorties and the number completed since 1919; the total amount paid on account by the State towards slum clearance from 1919 to 1929; and the ultimate State liability in respect of schemes approved between 1919 and 1929?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe following statement shows the number of schemes for the improvement of unhealthy areas in England and Wales which were submitted and confirmed respectively in each year from 1919 to 1929 inclusive:
Year. Number of slum clearance Schemes:— Submitted during the year. Confirmed during the year. 1919 … 2 1 1920 … 9 — 1921 … 3 1 1922 … 9 12 1923 … 29 21 1924 … 28 28 1925 … 11 20 1926 … 11 10 1927 … 12 13 1928 … 19 14 1929 … 10 1 Totals … 139 121 It is the statutory duty of the local authorities concerned to carry out all the confirmed schemes, and 43 of those schemes have been completed. The total amount paid as Exchequer Subsidy from 1919 to the end of 1929 was £290,874. The ultimate annual Exchequer liability on completion of the schemes is roughly estimated at from £100,000 to £130,000.
Mr. J. C. WELSHasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the annual number of schemes for the improvement of unhealthy areas submitted to his Department from 1919 to 1929 and the number affirmed; how many schemes have been undertaken by local authorities and the number completed since 1919; the total amount paid on account by the State towards slum clearance from 1919 to 1929; and what is the ultimate State liability in respect of schemes approved between 1919 and 1929?
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Mr. W. ADAMSONThe annual number of schemes for the improvement of unhealthy areas submitted to the Department from 1919 to 1929 is as follows:
1919 … … … … None 1920 … … … … None 1921 … … … … None 1922 … … … … None 1923 … … … … 3 1924 … … … … 5 1925 … … … … 5 1926 … … … … 7 1927 … … … … 3 1928 … … … … 4 1929 … … … … 2 Total … … … … 29 All these schemes have been confirmed with the exception of one which was submitted in December, 1929, and which is now being inquired into. All the schemes are being undertaken by local authorities, and the number completed is nine. The total amount paid to 31st December, 1929, in respect of the State contribution towards meeting the annual loss on slum clearance schemes, including re-housing schemes, where the insanitary houses are being closed by means of Closing Orders, is £247,715. As regards the last part of the question, I am unable to state what the ultimate liability to the State will be in respect of these schemes. The State contribution is 50 per cent. of the average annual loss over the period allowed for the repayment of the loans required to meet the capital cost of carrying out the schemes, and the capital cost can only be ascertained after the schemes have been completed.