HC Deb 15 December 1936 vol 318 cc2287-8W
Mr. LEACH

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider favourably the case of the local authorities who have not yet completed their housing programmes under the 1930 Act and may not be able to do so before the expiry on 31st March of the Exchequer contributions, so that an assurance of further assistance may be given to them in cases where it can be shown that the delay has been legitimate or unavoidable?

Mr. R. S. HUDSON

Exchequer contributions will continue at the present rate until 31st March, 1938. The contributions in respect of houses which are not completed until after that date will depend on the result of the review to be undertaken after 1st October, 1937, and will be provided for in an Order to be made after that review. As stated in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Coventry (Captain Strickland) on 8th December, my right hon. Friend will approach the question with a full sense of all the issues involved, including the importance to the health services of the country of the completion of the slum clearance campaign.