§ 24. Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will give an assurance that every encouragement will be given to firms and industries developing new methods of house construction, such as prefabrication of houses, with a view to speedy mass production when the war ends.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Hicks)Yes, Sir. A Controller of Experimental Building was appointed last summer with the special duty of assisting private enterprise and local authorities to develop new methods, materials and fittings for house construction by advice and by arranging for the issue of licences and other facilities where the proposal appeared likely to be of value. The Controller works in close contact with the Burt Committee which, as I informed by hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McKinlay) on 26th January, had already considered 249 suggestions and had recommended that facilities be granted in 36 cases.
§ Major PetherickWill the hon. Gentleman say whether full advantage is being taken of the experience in prefabrication of houses in the United States of America, particularly in the State of California?
§ Mr. HicksAs my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, my noble Friend sent a deputation to America to inquire into the methods of building in America and that report will be available at the end of the week.
§ Mr. MathersWill the co-operation of the building trades be assured in connection with the prefabrication of buildings?