§ 42. Mr. Wakefieldasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether it is his intention to utilise the services of small local builders for the erection of agricultural cottages, especially in districts where only a few are to be built?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Hicks)I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on 10th June, of which I am sending him a copy. This made it clear that the question of these cottages, which are to be provided by local authorities under their Housing Act powers, being built by big builders will only arise if local authorities cannot obtain satisfactory 2086 tenders from local builders by 8th July. I am assured by my right hon. Friend that local authorities have followed their usual practice of advertising for tenders, and have thus given the smaller local builders the fullest opportunity.
§ Mr. WakefieldIs the hon. Member aware that there is a feeling among the small builders that they are being squeezed out and not being allowed to tender? Is he also aware that there is a feeling that the big contractors have the men taken away from these small builders, and is he further aware that his answer will give great satisfaction to many of these very excellent small builders, who are well able to do this kind of work?