§ 20. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the difficulties confronting the county borough of West Ham in resolving its housing problem due to the large number of old and slum properties, the large number of houses lost by bombing, the resultant loss of rate income, and the high cost of building and charges for interest rates on borrowed capital; and what action he proposes to take to assist this council to overcome these difficulties.
§ Sir K. JosephThough I appreciate that West Ham has a serious slum clearance and housing problem, I do not think the council lacks adequate resources to deal with it. If, as a result of further building, it can satisfy the test for additional assistance as provided for in the Housing Act, 1961, it will be entitled to payment of supplemental subsidy.