State-Aided Houses (Average Age)

43.

Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE
asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the estimated anticipated average age of the houses built under the subsidy scheme of the late Government?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
It is the practice of my Department to allow a period not exceeding 60 years for the repayment of loans by local authorities for the erection of houses under the Housing Acts by ordinary methods of construction, and it may be taken that this period represents a conservative estimate of the life of the houses.

Mr. H. H. SPENCER
What is the estimated loss on each house?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
That does not seem to arise out of the question.

Mr. HARDIE
Is the Minister aware that under the Rutherglen housing scheme a term of 60 years is given, and the average payment of interest on that becomes £60 per year? How does the Minister think working people can pay the interest, apart altogether from the rent?

Sir B. FALLE
If these houses do not last 60 years, who will be responsible?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
That is a hypothetical question.