HC Deb 29 June 1944 vol 401 cc775-6
16. Mr. Astor

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends to allow authorities, who have grouped for the purpose of preparing sites for houses, to split up their group and obtain tenders in the normal manner.

Mr. Willink

As indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) on 15th June, this scheme is a voluntary one and no local authority can be compelled to join a group against its will. The Government believe, however, that in present circumstances, grouping is the most efficient and economical method of doing this work, and that the tenders when received will demonstrate that it is to the financial advantage of local authorities to participate in the grouping scheme.

Mr. Astor

My right hon. and learned Friend has not answered my Question. I asked whether they would be allowed to split up their groups again if they want to.

Mr. Willink

I thought I answered that part of the Question by implication when I said the scheme was a voluntary one. It is voluntary both in regard to going in and to coming out.

Mr. Astor

If they exercise their option to split up, will they still be able to obtain priorities for machinery and labour?

Mr. Willink

That depends on whether the particular proposal is one which is both efficient and economical.

20. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have protested against the group system proposed for the preparation of post-war housing sites; and how many have asked to withdraw from this scheme.

Mr. Willink

The scheme, as I indicated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth on 15th June, is a voluntary one. 73 groups have now been formed in England and Wales comprising over 500 authorities.

Mr. Bossom

Is my right hon. and learned friend aware that this group scheme carried out on smaller housing sites will be quite extravagant and very undesirable if pushed far in that way?

Mr. Willink

I was not aware that I had referred to pushing it in any way. This is, of course, a scheme for larger sites. The whole question is the use of labour in this very difficult year in the most economical and efficient way possible.