38. Mr. Astorasked the Minister of Works whether he will arrange for specimens of new types of houses, designed by private firms and bodies, to be erected at Northolt to enable Members of Parliament and others interested to compare the various types.
§ The Minister of Works (Mr. Sandys)The policy hitherto adopted has been to allow trade federations to erect at Northolt prototypes of houses suitable for general use. I am prepared to consider some extension of these facilities to private firms.
Mr. AstorWill the Minister realise that the position is very difficult at the moment? People have to go all over the country to see these important new developments, and it would immensely help us if they could all be brought together.
§ Mr. SandysI agree. I am, of course, in favour of making comparisons of these various new types as easy as possible for those concerned, but there is some limit to the number of houses we can build on this one site.
39. Mr. Astorasked the Minister of Works whether he has embodied in the prototype houses at Northolt, the new and 1768 economical types of grates and stoves evolved by the Coal Research Association.
§ Mr. SandysNo, Sir. The houses in question were erected to demonstrate new designs and building methods, and not internal fittings.
Mr. AstorWould it not be better to put in the most modern and economical coal fires, where there are coal fires, in these houses, and will the Minister make the necessary change as soon as he can?
§ Mr. SandysI am in sympathy with my hon. Friend's suggestion. When further prototype houses come to be constructed I hope to include some of these new types of appliances.
§ Sir Alfred BeitIn so far as some of these houses will be for urban use will my right hon. Friend, in the interests of smoke abatement, see that they are fitted with other types of heating than coal fires?