HC Deb 21 July 1938 vol 338 cc2416-7
60. Mr. De Chair

asked the Minister of Health how many of the houses which have been built since 1931 have had to satisfy any test of architectural excellence as to design and durability, apart from the minimum requirements of cubic capacity?

Mr. Elliot

I am not aware what test my hon. Friend has in mind, but I believe that the great majority of houses built by rural district councils, in common with those of other local authorities, are of a good architectural standard. The responsibility for this, as for other qualifications, rests primarily on the local authorities concerned, but those not employing architects were requested in 1936 to submit plans to the Ministry, and this request was repeated last April, both in the Housing Manual and in the accompanying circular, copies of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

Mr. De Chair

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some 2,500,000 houses have sprung up like mushrooms during the last seven years without any apparent semblance of design at all, which will be a terrible sight in future.