The Rebuilding of Britain

First published in 1935, the original blurb reads: “Believing the gravest of all our National problems is that of Unemployment the author has set himself the task of trying to find a solution which is capable of giving continuity of employment without interfering with or increasing the competition with existing industries. The Building Industry gives the opportunity conditional upon a policy of demolition equal to that of a new building being carried out simultaneously.

Every class of property is affected in this scheme of Rebuilding Britain. All slums will definitely be cleared away, never to recur in future generations. The number of houses in a condition to demand immediate demolition total 4,607,679. In addition there are many thousands of Slum Offices, Warehouses, and Factories.

In eighty years Great Britain will be demolished and rebuilt, except historical and other special public buildings. All houses now owned by Local Authorities will be purchased at market value by Public Utility Societies and all future house building will be undertaken by Private Enterprise. If a rent subsidy is necessary it will be given to the individual and not the house.

A National Mortgage Bank will be established through which building will be financed on long-term credits. The Building Societies throughout the country will be formed into twelve units and will act as agents for the National Mortgage Bank.

Private interest in land built-up areas to be purchased over a period of eighty years as areas are being redeveloped, the land being vested in National Land Commissioners.

The total number of houses required, if the fullest advantage is taken of the opportunities which now present themselves, is 6,572,679.”

Today it can be read in its historical context.