i©8 
THE HOUSING QUESTION 
On 5th May, 1921, when Dr. Addison was still in the 
Cabinet as " Minister without Portfolio,” he was asked 
the following question :— 
Major Prescott asked the Minister without Portfolio on what 
grounds he warned the public to be on their guard as to a possible 
change of housing policy, as reported in the London Press on the 
26th April ; whether his disquieting statement has unsettled 
many local authorities within the Metropolitan Police area in 
connection with the financial responsibilities they have incurred 
in the development of housing schemes ; and whether or not the 
Government contemplate a change of housing policy which will 
raise the financial liability of a local authority above the limit 
of a id. rate ? 
Dr. Addison : “ I can assure my Hon. and Gallant Friend 
that there was nothing in the speech in question, or in any reports 
of it that I have seen, to cause unsettlement, nor have I heard 
of any that has arisen in consequence. It was explicitly stated 
that the Government contemplated no change of policy or de 
parture from any obligations to local authorities and others that 
had been entered into, but it was pointed out that the redemption 
of slums in our towns would require sustained effort through a 
long series of years and that a vigilant and informed public opinion 
would be necessary if the work was to be persevered with.” 
Three weeks after he had said this the Government 
stopped practically all further approvals. 
On the 12th April, 1921, the following question was 
asked in the Commons :— 
Mr. T. Thomson asked the Prime Minister whether the recent 
change in the post of Minister of Health indicates any variation 
m the Government’s policy with regard to health and housing 
administration ; and can local authorities which have undertaken 
the erection of dwelling-houses under the Housing and Town 
Planning Act, 1919, rely upon the Government fulfilling in the