HC Deb 08 April 1943 vol 388 cc799-800
43. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning, as the Minister of Health is now urging local authorities to proceed with their plans for postwar housing, whether he will restrict or define the location and approximate extent of new industries, or the revival of old ones, in any area?

Mr. Henry Strauss

The preliminary housing arrangements, which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has asked housing authorities to make, are limited to a one-year's building programme, on which the major problems of reconstruction referred to by the hon. Member are not likely to arise. In regard to these problems, I would refer him to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House made to the hon. Member for Central Leeds (Mr. Denman) on 10th March, 1943.

Mr. Bossom

Does not my hon. Friend recall that the local authorities have been asked to acquire the full size of all areas of both bombed sites and sites that will be needed for housing; and can they do this intelligently without this information regarding the extent of new industries, and these sites will not be required only for the first year's work but will form a material part of their full housing programme?

Mr. R. C. Morrison

Will the hon. Gentleman represent to his noble Friend that a good deal of confusion is arising in the country as to where the respective responsibilities for housing as between the Ministry of Health and his Ministry lie and what are the lines of demarcation, and will he take an early opportunity to clarify the position?

Mr. Strauss

There must be some confusion because the hon. Member referred to my Minister as my Noble Friend. That is not my Department. I think that the confusion is being rapidly diminished.