§ 25. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent visits to slum properties; what new action he proposes to take to ensure the speedy removal of slums; and whether this includes encouragement to private builders to build houses to rent at economic rents for the artisan class.
§ Mr. RipponMy right hon. Friend visited authorities with big slum problems in South-East Lancashire and on Merseyside last month, and he is at present visiting similar areas in Yorkshire. He hopes very shortly to visit other areas in the North-East of England.
He is discussing with the authorities ways of achieving a faster rate of slum clearance.
My right hon. Friend has not overlooked the contribution that private builders can make. Housing associations are being encouraged to build houses to let at economic rents, with the assistance of Exchequer loans, and my right hon. Friend hopes that this will help to bring private developers back into this field.