HC Deb 01 December 1920 vol 135 cc1247-8
74. Mr. GILBERT

asked the Minister of Health what is the cheapest and dearest house which has been passed by his Department both for town and country districts; will he state what is the accommodation provided in each case; and whether the houses are built of brick, concrete, or other material?

Dr. ADDISON

Owing to the great variation in accommodation, size and character of construction of the houses which have been approved, and the wide difference in the cost of building at different places and different dates, no useful comparison can be made between individual examples of houses at exceptionally low and exceptionally high prices per house. Houses, however, have been approved at prices ranging from about £600 each to about £1,200 each. The former usually contain a living room, scullery, two or three bedrooms and offices; the latter a living room, parlour, scullery, four bedrooms and offices. Examples among the lowest and the highest prices occur for houses approved both in urban and rural districts, and with brick and concrete construction.

Mr. RENWICK

In the contracts which have been made, is there any provision that the ratepayers shall receive the advantage of airy fall in prices of material or labour that may occur between the signing of the contracts and the completion of the houses?

Dr. ADDISON

Oh, yes; I think that in practically all the forms of contract provisions to that effect are inserted.

Mr. RENWICK

Are the contracts at a fixed price, or on what is called a time and line basis?

Dr. ADDISON

I do not think there are any time and line contracts. They are mostly on a basis price, with variations in regard to the matters to which my hon. Friend has referred, up and down.