HC Deb 21 April 1920 vol 128 cc385-6
40. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Minister of Health whether any constructive scheme for house building has been furnished to the Department by the National Executive of the Labour party; whether he is aware that this organisation issued a manifesto at the general ejection in favour of building at once 1,000,000 new houses at the State's expense to be let at fair rents; and whether he has ascertained the cost of 1,000,000 such houses and what is a fair rent on them?

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question may I ask whether it was the Coalition party and not the Labour party?

Dr. ADDISON

I am aware of the manifesto to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but no constructive scheme or practical suggestions for giving effect to its extensive programme has been laid before me.

Commander BELLAIRS

As the Labour party now has a general staff, could not my right hon. Friend invite them to produce a scheme?

Dr. ADDISON

I invited the Labour party and other people on numberless occasions to make suggestions, and I am still awaiting their answer.

Mr. W. R. SMITH

Was not that manifesto based upon the assumption that the same service during the War would apply in times of peace; and is it not a fact that the increased cost of building is due to rings, trusts and combines?

Mr. REMER

Is it not a fact that a certain proportion of the increased cost of building is caused through a large number of bricklayers not laying so many bricks as they might?

Dr. ADDISON

The state of mind to which my hon. Friend (Mr. Smith) refers is, I am afraid, an expectation, and I wish I could see it realised.

41. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Minister of Health how many men are now in the building trade, and how many men would be required for the programme put forward by the national executive of the Labour party of building 1,000,000 new houses at once, allowing for men engaged on normal work outside this building effort?

Dr. ADDISON

I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the full statement as to skilled labour available for building work which was circulated by the Prime Minister in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Spen Valley on the 15th ultimo, but I may say that house building at the rate of 200,000 houses per annum would absorb almost all the present supply of skilled bricklayers and more than all the slaters and plasterers at present available.

Commander BELLAIRS

In view of the answer, as it would take five or six times as many men as are now in the building trade, could the right hon. Gentleman induce the Labour party to extend the facilities for men to join the building trade?

Dr. ADDISON

I am quite certain that, if the housing programme is to be completed, facilities must be provided for more men joining the trade.

Mr. W. R. SMITH

Is it not a fact that at Newbury the Labour party there have taken part in a scheme which is facilitating the erection of houses on very sound lines; and if that policy were extended, would it not help in the erection of houses?

Dr. ADDISON

Yes, I think the experience of Newbury is very encouraging. At the same time, if that were universally adopted, there would still be a great shortage in the labour required.

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