§ 58 Mr. MILLSasked the Minister of Health whether the cost of the houses erected by direct labour at Newbury was £200 per house less than the lowest tenders from building firms?
§ Dr. ADDISONI understand that tenders were received by the Newbury Town Council of £850 per house. The Council are building 20 houses by direct labour. The estimated cost was £650 per house, but definite figures cannot be given until the houses are completed.
§ Mr. MILLSIs the result sufficient to justify the Minister of Health extending this principle, or allowing it to be extended wherever local authorities are willing to enter into it?
§ Dr. ADDISONThere are quite a considerable number of cases where this principle is being adopted, but I can give no estimate how near these figures will prove to be correct.
§ Mr. SHORTDoes the right hon. Gentleman put any obstacle in the way of local authorities desiring to adopt this plan?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo. I am not putting any obstacle in the way of anybody who wants to build houses.