THE  HOUSING  QUESTION

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implications  involved  in  the  undertaking  of  a  Housing
Scheme.  The  Treasury’s  refusal  to  allow  drainage  and
water  supply  of  the  houses  (except  actually  within
the  limits  of  the  estate)  to  rank  for  subsidy  was  something ­
  uncommonly  like  breach  of  faith.  Nothing  had
been  said  about  this  limitation  when  the  Bill  was  going
through.  Difficulties  were  put  in  the  way  of  Local
Authorities  in  their  endeavour  to  obtain  capital  for
their  schemes  from  the  Local  Loans  Fund  (which,
although  a  Government  issue,  is  allowed  to  be  administered ­
  by  a  group  of  financiers  who  are  very  imperfectly
under  Government  control).  And  many  more  difficulties ­
  they  had,  causing  irritation  and  suspicion  in
the  minds  of  local  men  who  in  the  past  had  often  found
their  irritation  well  justified,  and  their  suspicions
well  grounded  (as  they  have  again  found  in  the  present
outcome  of  the  Government  Housing  Scheme).  But,
allowing  for  this,  many  Councils  deliberately  defied  the
Law.  They  knew  houses  were  badly  wanted  and  they
refused  to  build  them.
What  is  the  history  of  the  employment  by  the
Minister  of  Health  of  the  powers  given  to  him  by
Parliament  to  act  in  default  of  Local  Authorities  ?
Here  is  a  reply  on  18th  February,  1920,  in  the  House
of  Commons  :—
Mr.  Leonard  Lyle  asked  the  Minister  of  Health  whether  he
now  possesses  adequate  powers  to  compel  lethargic  authorities
to  build  houses  where  these  are  urgently  needed  ;  and,  if  so
whether  he  proposes  to  exercise  these  powers  ?