§ Sir G. Jonesasked the Minister of Health how many houses were built in this country from 1st January, 1919, or other convenient date, and the outbreak of the present war; how many thereof were built by private enterprise and local authorities, respectively; what assistance 1354W by way of subsidies was given to private enterprise and local authorities in respect of such building; and whether those built by private enterprise show a lower cost price and, if so, to approximately what extent, than those built by the local authorities.
§ Mr. Willink4,104,560 houses were built in England and Wales in the period; 1,136,457 by local authorities and 2,968,103 by private enterprise, of which 431,678 were subsidised. A total of £212,000,000 was paid in Government contributions. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Report on Private Enterprise Housing, which gives in Appendix III details of the subsidies payable to local authorities and private enterprise under the various Housing Acts. It is not possible to give the comparison asked for in the last part of the Question, since information is not available regarding the cost of houses erected by private enterprise.