§ Mr. Pearsonasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the considerable delay that takes place from the time of application and final determination as to loans facilities from the Public Works Loans Board to Welsh local government authorities for housing purposes; and if he will take steps to prevent such delay or refusal of such loans, in view of the fact that a recent Government inquiry has strongly condemned many houses in Welsh districts?
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§ Captain WallaceI am not aware of any unreasonable delay between a local authority's application for a loan and the final decision of the Public Works Loan Board upon it. In a few cases, which are not confined to Wales, additional time is required for inquiries which the board consider necessary. It would not be proper for me to interfere with the Public Works Loan Board in the discharge of the duties laid upon them.