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interest, and that the Government should create a special Housing
Fund for the purpose."
After discussion, the amendment was put to the meeting and defeated,
only 25 voting for it.
A second amendment was moved in the following terms:—
"That Clause 3 should be amended to provide that loans by
Public Works Loans Commissioners shall be advanced, if required,
upon application by any authority carrying out the provisions of this
Act."
This amendment was also defeated.
A further amendment was moved as follows:—
"That Clause 5 should provide that the expense incurred in the
laying-out and the construction of any streets or roads may be made
from the General or District Rate, but such contribution shall only
be made after approval by the Local Government Board, and that
this expense should also apply to, and power be given to local
authorities to alter, widen, close, or deviate existing streets in an
housing area."
This amendment was likewise defeated.
Another amendment was brought forward, which ran as follows:—
"That after Par. (b) in Resolution I., the following words be
added: "and that local authorities should be assisted by a subsidy,
if necessary, from the Exchequer, to build houses under Part III. of
the Housing of the Working Classes Act, at low rentals of from
Is. 9d. to 3s. per week."
The amendment was negatived, and the original resolution carried.
The following resolution was moved:—
"This Congress strongly approves of the provisions for the
issue of closing and demolition orders by local authorities (Clauses 13
and 14), and further approves of Clauses 26 and 27 as giving a much
needed power to local authorities to insist upon dwellings being kept
'reasonably fit for human habitation'; this Congress, however, urges,
that Clause 26 should apply to all dwellings not exceeding £40 rental
in London, and £26 rental elsewhere."