HC Deb 09 December 1919 vol 122 cc1267-8

Motion made, and Question proposed That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £10, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1920, for the Cost of Building Materials and of the purchase and adaptation of Houses for the Housing of the Working Classes in England and Wales.

Dr. ADDISON

This Vote has frequently been the subject of discussion in this House. An arrangement was made earlier in the year with the Ministry of Munitions, which placed an extensive order for bricks and other materials with the trade, and they supplied a very large number of bricks and quantities of other materials to be made available for housing purposes. The whole of this expenditure will be recovered in due time train the local authorities and others to whom the materials are made over, and now that the trade has got well established we are proposing, as announced yesterday, to bring control to an end, and to liberate the material, so that it may be obtained in the ordinary way. The other item is in respect of a matter which was under discussion yesterday, and covers the expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Health on behalf of the local authorities in assisting the conversion of empty houses into flats, mainly in the Metropolitan area. I gave the House the figures yesterday, but let me say that it represents a substantial addition to our housing accommodation. The amount has been earmarked on behalf of the local authorities, and represents nearly the total amount of the Vote, but it will be recovered later under the general housing scheme, and will not form a permanent charge.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolutions to be reported To-morrow.

Committee to sit again To-morrow.