§ 41. Mr. MYERSasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the applications for new houses on the register of Bradford Corporation is approximately 6,000, including over 4,000 ex-service men, involving, roughly, with their families, 20,000 people, who are now living in furnished apartments, cellar dwellings and other properties which have been officially declared uninhabitable and in many instances have been closed; whether he is aware that the corporation have secured land for 10,000 houses, have completed streets, drains, and sewers for over 1,400 houses; that schemes for the erection of 856 have been sanctioned, of which 630 are now occupied and the remainder 1180 approaching completion; that a year ago 957 people were employed upon house building in Bradford, whereas the number employed at present is about 450 and is rapidly diminishing; and that building labour is leaving the city because there is no work to be secured; and whether, having regard to these circumstances, he will reconsider the decision of his Department of 11th May, when application by the corporation to proceed with the erection of a further 520 houses was refused, and enable the corporation to continue the work necessary for the housing of the population?
§ Sir A. MONDI am aware of the matters stated by the hon. Member. The effective contribution to the housing problem is made when houses are finished. In the case of Bradford 100 houses contracted for last December are still unfinished and about 50 have not got beyond the foundation stage. When due progress is made with the houses already sanctioned, I shall be prepared to consider sanction for further houses.
§ Mr. MYERSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the work is being completed so rapidly in respect of the houses tinder construction that 49 men were actually paid off last night, and less than 30 houses are in the stage now where foundations have not been started?
§ Sir A. MONDThat is not the information which I have received.