HC Deb 06 July 1944 vol 401 cc1301-2
32. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Minister of Health if he has now investigated the case of Mrs. R. Howie, wife of Petty Officer W. A. Howie, of the R.N., who had to leave her furnished rooms as she was expecting a baby, although she is engaged upon war work; and what steps he proposes to take to enable her to obtain suitable accommodation.

Mr. Willink

Yes, Sir. The Eton rural district council are giving this lady all the assistance in their power in finding suitable accommodation, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that there is heavy pressure on available accommodation in this locality at the present time, and the council have many cases of great hardship to deal with.

Mr. Granville

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for his reply, may I ask if he will take steps to see that no more evacuees flow from other areas into this already scandalously overcrowded district?

Mr. Willink

I am afraid my hon. Friend is asking me to do the impossible at the moment.

33. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Minister of Health if he will take over large unused houses in overcrowded areas and equip them as maternity hostels with proper accommodation for the wives of Service men and war workers, in view of the fact that many of them are finding it impossible to obtain suitable lodgings.

Mr. Willink

I have already taken premises for use as ante-natal hostels and emergency maternity homes in various parts of the country. Many are already working to full capacity but it is at present impossible to find staff for any large extension of this service. In present conditions there is a demand for this accommodation from women from Southern England as well as from the special classes referred to by my hon. Friend.

35. Viscount Suirdale

asked the Minister of Health what are the smallest sites for which bulldozers and other large plant used for aerodrome construction can economically be used for preparing building sites.

Mr. Willink

The decision on any particular site is a matter for the contractor in the light of his experience.