HC Deb 19 July 1944 vol 402 cc186-8
45. Viscountess Davidson

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement on Government policy in regard to the provision of emergency houses.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

Yes, Sir. The Government have reviewed the potential building capacity of the country, and have come to the conclusion that it will not be possible, for some years, to build enough permanent houses to meet the urgent demands for separate homes. We shall therefore need, in addition, emergency factory-made houses. The Government have approved the model of such a house, prepared by my Noble Friend the Minister of Works, and are planning for large-scale production as soon as the necessary industrial capacity can be released from the war effort. The emergency houses will be purchased by the Government, and will be made available to local authorities to supplement their ordinary housing programmes. There will be full opportunity for discussion on the Bill which will be necessary to enable the Government to incur the expenditure involved.

In the meantime, my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland are opening discussions with local authorities on the preliminary arrangements to be made.

Sir I. Albery

Which Minister is actually responsible to this House for emergency houses in the after-war period?

Mr. Attlee

The production of the houses is in the hands of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works, but the general provision of housing is a matter for the local authorities, who come under the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Mr. J. J. Lawson

Are urgent steps being taken to let the local authorities and the people in every part of the country see these houses, so that Members may be guided by their opinions?

Mr. Attlee

Yes, Sir. A question has been answered about that, and it has been made clear.

Mr. Edgar Granville

In view of the fact that certain details of this steel house are very unsatisfactory, even with the new prototype, can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the House will have an opportunity of discussing the new type of house before quantity production is undertaken?

Mr. Attlee

If the hon. Member had listened to my reply, he would know that I said there would be full opportunity for discussion.

Sir Herbert Williams

What will be the name of this house (a) if it is popular and (b) if it is unpopular?

Mrs. Cazalet Keir

Have the Government settled that there shall be only one type and size for this emergency house?

Mr. Attlee

I understand not; but perhaps the hon. Lady will put questions of detail to the Minister concerned.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Would it not obviate disappointment if this building were called by its proper name, a bungalow, and not a house?

Mrs. Tate

May we have an assurance that factory-produced houses, if they reach certain standards, will not be only temporary, and that it will be possible for private individuals to submit plans for permanent houses of a factory-produced type?