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cost. If reconstruction work is done outside London, it appears from negotiations
carried out between the Borough of Plymouth and the Ministry of Health
that contribution is given by the Ministry of Health towards the cost. The
following letter is extracted from a paper read by the Chairman of the Plymouth
Housing Committee to the Sanitary Congress at Plymouth in 1928:—
“ I am directed by the Ministry of Health to refer to the interview
which representatives of the Council had with officers of the Ministry, and
to state that it is understood that the Corporation intend to submit a scheme
in regard to the New Street Area, in respect of which a representation under
Part II. of the Housing Act, 1925, has been made by the Medical Officer
of Health, and that they desire to know before proceeding to an inquiry
whether the Ministry is prepared to consider a scheme, in which a proportion
of the houses included are to be reconditioned, but not demolished, and to
submit appropriate expenditure on the reconditioning of such houses, for the
purpose of financial assistance under Section 1 (3) of the Housing Act, 1923.
In reply I am to inform you that the Minister would be willing to
consider a scheme in so far as it falls within the provision of the Act relating
to Unhealthy Areas, including land added for making such scheme efficient.
With regard to financial assistance for the Scheme, as finally approved, the
question must depend on the circumstances of individual houses. Minor
alterations and repairs could not be taken as ranking for assistance, but
where the work to be done amounts to such reconstruction as would involve
the occupants leaving the house while the work was being done, the expenditure
would be taken into account in fixing the contributions of the Minister
under Section 1 (3) of the Housing Act, 1923. Subject to the foregoing
points, in the case of the New Street Area, I am to inform you that in the
event of schemes relating to the three areas now under consideration being
made by the Council, and confirmed by the Minister, he will be prepared
to afford financial assistance on the following basis:—
1. That during the period while the schemes are being carried out, the
Government contribution should be one-half of the approved annual
deficit arising from the execution of the scheme, i.e., the loan
charges arising out of such capital expenditure upon the execution
of the scheme as is approved for this purpose, less income derived
from the property.
2. That after the scheme has been carried to completion the Government
contribution shall be fixed at a sum approximately equivalent
to half the approved estimated average annual loss.”
In London the position is different, as the London County Council can
obtain contributions from the Ministry of Health for work as described in
Hymouth, as the London County Council are the Authority under Part III of
the 1919 Act which is consolidated in the Housing Act, 1925; but the Borough
Council cannot apparently obtain a contribution towards the cost of their expenses
in reconstructing under the Act. This, however, is a matter that should receive
further consideration and be referred to the legal department and the Ministry
of Health for further information.
I have discussed the matter with the Borough Engineer and Surveyor, and
he is prepared to report to the Committee as to the houses mentioned in the
attached schedule if the Committee are willing to consider any action on these
lines.
I am,
Yours obediently,
G. H. Dart,
Medical Officer of Health.