HC Deb 22 July 1943 vol 391 cc1061-2
34. Mr. Leslie

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that after the last war there was a considerable amount of scamping in housing contracts by certain private builders; and, in order to prevent a repetition of this, will he lay strict injunctions on local authorities to see that adequate inspection is carried out so that sound materials are used in the erection of houses and care taken in their construction?

Mr. E. Brown

I am aware of these complaints, and one of the matters which are being examined by the sub-committee of my Central Housing Advisory Committee on Private Enterprise Housing is the method of ensuring, whether through local authorities or otherwise, what it is essential to ensure, namely, that the houses of the future are good houses in all respects.

Mr. Leslie

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Minister of Works to see that these firms are black-listed?

Mr. Brown

We are, of course, aware that bad houses were built under both systems.

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Will the right hon. Gentleman pay particular attention to the case in which one of his predecessors insisted upon a local authority building houses which the council decided were unfit for human habitation?

Mr. Brown

All the information in my Department has been surveyed and is available if necessary.

Mr. Kirkwood

Were not all the slums we have in Britain built by private enterprise?