HC Deb 11 June 1928 vol 218 cc625-6
42. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Minister of Health what is now estimated to be the shortage of housing accommodation in England and Wales?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)

I regret that it is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the present shortage of houses in England and Wales.

Mr. SHINWELL

Is it not possible to offer this House some estimate of the shortage in housing accommodation?

Sir K. WOOD

No, Sir; I have just said so.

Mr. SHINWELL

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give an approximate estimate? Are we to understand—[Interruption.] This is an important matter. Are we understand that a responsible Minister cannot give the House information as to an approximate estimate of the housing shortage in this country? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, if he can obtain the information, will he make an effort to obtain it?

Mr. E. BROWN

Would it not be necessary, in order to answer that ques- tion, to make a survey of the whole country, and was not such a survey turned down by the Labour Government in 1924?