HC Deb 08 May 1924 vol 173 cc620-1
50. Mr. T. THOMSON

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his suggestion that houses to be erected under the Government's new scheme might cost £500 each, his attention has been drawn to the offer by a firm of well-known British manufacturers to erect six-roomed concrete houses at £250 each, substantially built and guaranteed suitable for our climate; and will the Government have this method of construction thoroughly examined before arranging any terms with the builders of brick houses?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. A. Greenwood)

My right hon. Friend had some correspondence with reference to an offer in general terms to build concrete houses, upon an American principle, at the price mentioned. He has informed the manufacturers concerned that he would concur in any proposals which local authorities might submit for erecting a small number of houses by the method proposed, subject, of course, to the scheme, submitted conforming with the general requirements of the Ministry, and to the houses being erected and completed at a reasonable cost.

Mr. MONTAGUE

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that the Minister has considered this question of concrete houses very carefully, and their suitability?

Viscount CURZON

Before the hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask if this is a suitable method of constructing houses, why the Government only propose to allow a small number of houses to be built, why not a larger number? [HON. MEMBERS: They are an experiment!"]

Mr. GREENWOOD

As regards the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for West Islington (Mr. Montague), I am aware of what he says. As a matter of fact, in two housing schemes that have, adopted concrete houses have been sanctioned, are being built, and will still be built. In reply to the Noble Lord, I said nothing that should lead hon. Members to believe that we regard this necessarily as a satisfac- tory method. The whole purpose of adopting the schemes was to get experience as to the suitability of the houses.

Mr. J. GARDNER

What time does the hon. Gentleman consider a reasonable period to discover the result of an experiment of this kind?

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