§ 21. Mr. J. J. Lawsonasked the Minister of Health if he has now completed his arrangements with the local authorities of England and Wales for meeting arrears of work and maintenance due to the war; and whether plans are ready for the transference of labour from war duties as soon as such workers are available.
§ Mr. WillinkI am in communication with local authorities in connection with post-war work on those of their major services, such as housing, water-supply and sewerage, with which I am concerned, and I am sending my hon. Friend copies of Circulars which I have recently addressed to them. The distribution of available labour and materials between new works and arrears of maintenance, and also between the needs of particular services, in the period immediately after the war involves questions of priorities on which I am unable to make any definite statement at the present time; but I can assure my hon. Friend that the needs of local authorities in respect of their various services are present to my mind and I shall see that full consideration is given to them as soon as workers are 327 available. If he has any particular points in mind, perhaps he will communicate with me.