HC Deb 10 June 1943 vol 390 cc817-8
1. Mr. Colegate

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the release of sufficient building labour to deal with the serious position which has arisen in the maintenance, repair and completion of partially-built houses and to enable further houses to be built in areas where there is grave overcrowding?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)

I have been in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health with regard to the two uncompleted houses to which my hon. Friend referred in a previous Question and am informed that having regard to the substantial amounts of controlled materials that would be required the Ministry of Health would not be prepared to support an application for a licence to enable the houses to be completed. Consequently the question of supplying labour has not arisen in these cases. , With regard to the position generally, I cannot add to the statements already made by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Mr. Colegate

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer to my Question two or three weeks ago, may I ask with regard to this Question whether he does not recognise that there is a grave state of affairs arising in certain areas owing to the impossibility of doing anything even in the gravest cases of emergency housing?

Mr. Bevin

I do not think that arises out of this Question. I have been asked to answer in regard to two particular houses.

Mr. Colegate

There is nothing in my Question about two particular houses. That was the Question a fortnight ago. This is a purely general Question on emergency housing, and I must press for a reply.

Mr. Bevin

The question of supplying labour for houses is dealt with after sanction has been given for the houses to be built, and I do not know that I have refused to supply labour where sanction has been given.

Mr. Colegate

I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment on the earliest possible day.