§ 105. Mr. MYERSasked the Minister of Health whether the building trades employers are organising resistance to the restrictions on luxury building, the authority for which was contained in The Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919; and whether, in view of the allegations made against the building trades unions that they are delaying the erection of working-class houses, an assurance can be given that the Government will resist any pressure brought by the building employers with a view to making the luxury building regulations ineffective?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware that the restriction of luxury building is exciting 1044 opposition in certain quarters, but as the suggestions to local authorities regarding the exercise of their powers in this matter were prepared in consultation with, and were accepted by, the Joint Industrial Council of the Building Trade, I am entitled to assume that they have the support of building trade employers as well as operatives. I shall certainly take all practicable steps to ensure the reasonable application of the luxury building regulations in order to secure the speedier production of houses.
Sir J. D. REESWill the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that existing contracts and commitments will be saved in any regulations in this respect?
§ Dr. ADDISONI do not think that I can guarantee that. The Act has been passed, and everybody has seen it.
Sir J. D. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise what great danger there is to the cause which he has so much at heart in this matter of interfering with existing contracts?
§ Dr. ADDISONAll these questions have been considered for many months by the Industrial Council before these proposals were put forward. We have considered all these matters in great detail, and we consider that it is much more important to get the houses put up.