15. Mr. DOYLEasked the Minister of Health if he has satisfied himself as to the suitability from sanitary and other points of view of the erection of wooden houses in crowded areas; whether he proposes that the Grants shall be given to those erecting such buildings; and how many wooden huts and houses are now being used to accommodate families?
§ 17. Mr. GILBERTasked the Minister of Health what action has been taken to secure the use by local authorities of State-owned hostels and Army huts for temporary housing, pending the erection of permanent houses; and whether he can state the number of local authorities who have made applications therefor and the amount of accommodation made available?
§ THE MINISTER OF HEALTH (Dr. Addison)Grants to the amount of two-thirds of the ordinary grants for building houses will be payable in respect of wooden houses of satisfactory construction. It is not intended that such houses should be erected in crowded districts. Up to the 13th December, eighty-eight local authorities had made application for temporary accommodation by the use of Army huts or State-owned hostels; 1,621 huts have been acquired by local authorities for purposes of conversion, and 631 others have been offered to local authorities. These huts will provide. accommodation for 3,217 families. In addition twenty-nine hostels, providing accommodation for 534 families, have been taken over by local authorities.
Captain TERRELLAre there any wooden houses at present under construction in the country, and, if so, how many?
§ Dr. ADDISONThere are some, and, if my hon. and gallant Friend will give me notice, I will give him an answer.