70 
THE HOUSING QUESTION 
to the Minister, who not only allowed them to drop 
their whole scheme, but actually caused the taxpayer 
to dole out thousands of pounds to the architects and 
builders in compensation for the abandoned work ! 
Everyone in Cornwall knows the shocking housing 
conditions of St. Ives. It is a new proposal that the 
taxpayer should be mulcted in order that houses 
should not be erected. 
Nor is the case of St. Ives by any means unique. 
The present Minister has for nearly a year been employ 
ing his staff to induce Local Authorities not to proceed 
with houses which the Ministry has fully approved.