§ 17. Sir I. Alberyasked the Minister of Health whether any inquiries have been made as to the comparable cost of building agricultural cottages of chalk instead of brick in suitable districts?
§ Mr. E. BrownNo, Sir, as I have not received any proposals from rural district councils to build in chalk. If my hon. Friend has any relevant information, I should be glad to have it.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonCannot flint be used for the building of houses where it is available?
§ Mr. HannahAre not a number of mediaeval buildings built of chalk?
18. Mr. Bernard Taylorasked the Minister of Health the superficial area of the proposed rural houses, and the price per superficial foot as contained in the tenders?
§ Mr. BrownThe superficial area of houses, including out-buildings, illustrated in the plans issued to the local authorities concerned, ranges from 1,046 to 1,136 square feet for parlour houses, and from 870 to 1,036 square feet for non-parlour houses. The price per foot super represented by tender prices received, which councils have been authorised to accept, varies from 13s. 5d. to 16s. 11d.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not the case that the building of these agricultural cottages has been transferred to the Ministry of Works? Why is my right hon. Friend now dealing with it?
§ Mr. BrownThat is not the fact. There are a very large number of councils going forward, inside the Government's decision, under the original plan.
§ Mr. StephenWhat is the percentage increase on the pre-war price?
§ Mr. R. J. TaylorIs the report true that the height of the ceiling is being reduced from 8 ft. to 7 ft. 6 ins.?
§ Mr. BrownThat question should be put to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works. The questions to which I am replying relate to the plans put out by the Ministry of Health; the report about a 7 ft. 6 in. ceiling relates to the plan of the Ministry of Works.
§ Mr. ShinwellOn a point of Order. Questions are put down to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, and now we are informed that he cannot reply on the height of the rooms because the 1292 matter has been transferred to the Ministry of Works. Where do hon. Members stand?
§ Mr. BrownMy hon. Friend is entirely in error. He has not given his mind to the subject. If I had been asked the height of rooms in these particular cottages for which I am responsible, I should have said 8 ft.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat is the right hon. Gentleman responsible for?
§ 20. Captain Gammansasked the Minister of Health whether the prices tendered for the 3,000 houses to be erected in rural areas are based upon the figures of 240 and 336 bricks per day for 42½ inch and 9-inch brickwork, respectively; and to what extent the high prices tendered are due to this artificial limitation of output as compared with the pre-war figures?
§ Mr. BrownTenders have been invited on the understanding that the Essential Work Order shall apply. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works.
§ Major LyonsHas there been, in fact, a single piece of work started on these cottages anywhere in the country?
§ Major LyonsWhere?
§ Mr. BrownMy hon. and gallant Friend had better put that question down. It does not arise out of this Question.
§ 21. Sir I. Alberyasked the Minister of Health whether local building firms asked to tender for agricultural cottages have received any assurance that the necessary labour would be made available to successful tenderers?
§ Mr. BrownThe scheme approved by the Government for the erection of these cottages includes arrangements to ensure that the necessary labour will be forthcoming.