§ 42. Mr. SWANasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the London Housing Board has stated, in reply to an inquiry from the Lambeth Borough Council, that the Board will not sanction schemes for building by direct labour, even if such schemes are at a lower cost than tenders by contractors, including profits, and that the contractors' profits were to be allowed before a comparison was made between his tender and the cost of building by direct labour; and whether this is the considered policy of the Ministry of Health?
§ Dr. ADDISONI had not seen the letter to the Borough Council to which the hon. Member refers before his question was put on the Paper. The letter appears to have been written under a misapprehension and does not correctly state the Departments policy. If satisfactory tenders are not obtained, the Department are quite prepared to consider the carrying 435 out of work by direct labour, subject to the fixing of a fair maximum price.