74 
THE HOUSING QUESTION 
erection of new houses). Thus a Local Authority 
would not have to pay for slum clearance out of its 
rates. 
Further, the Act provided that if a Local Authority 
failed to do its duty in slum clearance the Minister of 
Health was empowered to order it to be done, and, 
if the Authority failed to comply, then the Minister 
might carry out the scheme himself (or through the 
County Council). 
The financial regulations which accompanied the 
Act with the authority of the House of Commons, 
provided that Local Authorities were to have six years 
from August, 1919, to carry out their slum clearance 
schemes, or such further period as lack of labour and 
materials might necessitate. 
Great were the hopes held out by Ministers from 
time to time. Take these specimens of the utterances 
of the Government on the subject: 
Dr. Addison, Minister of Health, at the time of the 
passing of the Act, July, 1919 :— 
“ When the Housing Act has received the Royal Assent we 
shall at last be equipped with powers to deal with schemes and 
to tap in London that vast reservoir of accommodation which 
its empty houses afforded in many districts.” 
From the Ministry of Health official publication 
Housing for December 6th, 1920 :— 
" Under recent legislation the powers of local authorities and 
of the Ministry of Health in dealing with unfit houses and un 
healthy areas have been greatly strengthened, and assistance 
from the Exchequer is promised in cases where a re-housing 
scheme is carried out in connection with an improvement or