HC Deb 21 September 1943 vol 392 c38W
Mr. Craven-Ellis

asked the Minister of Health how much of the pre-war slum clearance programme to demolish 280,000 houses and replace by building 295,000 houses to accommodate 1,293,000 slum dwellers was completed before September, 1939; and what will be the ultimate cost of this scheme?

Miss Horsbrugh

At the outbreak of war the slum clearance programme of local authorities had increased to 472,000 houses, of which 259,000 had been demolished or closed; and 282,883 new replacement houses had been completed providing accommodation for 1,332,019 persons. My right hon. Friend is unable to say what the total ultimate cost of this scheme will be, but it is estimated that the ultimate cost to the Exchequer of the 282,883 new houses will be approximately £120,000,000.