§ 35. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the subsidy for housebuilding given only to local authorities will result in private enterprise building only for sale and that owing to the shortage of homes many people will be compelled to purchase their homes; and how does he propose to deal with this situation.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink)The need for building houses for letting is among the matters under investigation by the sub-committee of my Central Housing Advisory Committee which is considering the whole question of building by private enterprise after the War. My hon. Friend will appreciate that pending the submission and consideration of the sub-committee's report I am not in a position to make a statement in the matter.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the committee which has been sitting on the question as to what private enterprise shall do in housing after the war has been sitting for many months? Would it not be better if he would tell private enterprise the kind of job that has to be done and leave it to them to organise it?
§ Mr. WillinkI can tell my hon. Friend and the House that the committee's report is now in preparation.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs not the Minister aware that it is because things were left in the hands of private enterprise that we are in the present deplorable position?
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Craven-Ellis.
§ Mr. KirkwoodOn a point of Order. May I have an answer to my question? I have been sent here from my constituency for 20 years—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Because I am a good representative.
§ Mr. SpeakerI think we had better get on with Questions.
§ Mr. KirkwoodWhy did not the Minister answer my question?
§ Mr. WillinkI am proceeding to answer the next Question because Mr. Speaker has called it.