HC Deb 29 January 1942 vol 377 c924
65. Mr. Lindsay

asked the Minister of Health the approximate cost of establishing a Maycrete nursery; and how many are now set up?

Mr. E. Brown

The average cost of setting up a day nursery in a Maycrete hut, including cost of preparation of site, shell, erection and equipment is approximately £2,000. In case it should not be possible to obtain adequate numbers of suitable houses, I have obtained an allocation of 1,000 such huts. Two hundred and ten of these have now been ordered by local authorities, the majority of which have been delivered and are being erected.

Mr. Lindsay

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are other types of hut at only half the cost, and will he try to get some of them put up?

Mr. Brown

I will remember what my hon. Friend has said, but he must bear in mind the question of obtaining a regular supply.

Mr. Lindsay

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that within 20 miles of this House a hut is in existence which cost only £600?

Mr. Brown

I will beat that and other factors in mind, as I have said.

Mr. Benjamin Smith

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the situation which exists in regard to some of these places?

Mr. Brown

I am aware of one place where there are huts with no roofs and no joinery.

Mr. A. Edwards

Is this type of building giving complete satisfaction?

Mr. Brown

I would not like to say that.