§ 88. Major PRESCOTTasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether there has been any recent change of policy in connection with the housing schemes which the Office of Works is carrying out for local authorities; whether any of these schemes have been partially or wholly vetoed; whether the No. 3 form of contract has been adopted in any case; and if he will give the average cost of completed houses and the rent charged?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. GILMOUR (for the First Commissioner of Works)The policy in connection with the execution of housing schemes is determined by the Minister of Health, to whom I must refer by hon. and gallant Friend. It has been decided in some recent cases in which the Office of Works were asked to make preliminary surveys that the schemes should not be proceeded with. There is only one instance in which a scheme has proceeded on the basis of a time and materials contract, and this scheme is practically completed. Final costs cannot be given until the schemes are completed; but it is estimated on an analysis of the costs to date that the average building costs per house will vary 1550 between £714 and £950 according to the scheme, the type of house concerned, and the period during which the houses were under construction. For information as to rents I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Minister of Health.