§ 46. Mr. Kirbyasked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed as a temporary post-war measure to use existing industrial hostels for the housing of families who are otherwise without homes; and how many families could be accommodated in this way.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)As my Noble Friend the Minister of Works and my right hon. and learned Friend have explained on previous occasions, the Government are investigating the possibilities of converting such of these hostels as may be released into dwellings to meet some part of the immediate post-war need. A typical hostel has already been partly converted in order to show what can be done. My right hon. and learned Friend is not yet in a position to state the total number of dwellings it will be practicable to provide in this way.
§ Mr. KirbyWill the hon. Lady please urge upon her chief the need to pursue this matter to the utmost limits, so that none of the hostels shall be lost as possible temporary means of housing the people in the first few post-war years?
§ Miss HorsbrughI can assure the hon. Gentleman that that is why this work has been done. It is to convert a certain number of them to see if they can be made suitable.