§ 29. Sir Annesley Somervilleasked the Minister of Health whether he has prepared, or is preparing, large necessary schemes of building, including especially slum-clearance, which will provide considerable employment in the building industry immediately after demobilisation?
§ Mr. ElliotAs it is not possible, at present, to forecast with any degree of confidence the nature or the extent of the housing problems which will arise during the war, I feel that it would be premature to take such steps as my hon. Friend suggests. I can assure him, however, that, as each such problem arises and is dealt with, I shall consider its possible effect on post-war conditions, as I am anxious that, when the war ends, local authorities shall be able to proceed at once with housing schemes. An immediate start will be possible in the case of those slum clearance and other housing schemes which were begun before the war and which may remain uncompleted when hostilities cease.