§ 16. Sir Herbert Williamsasked the Minister of Health when the Report of the Committee on Housing, presided over by Sir Felix Pole, is likely to be published.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink)I am arranging for this Report to be published as soon as possible.
§ 24. Mr. Hewlettasked the Minister of Health to what extent his estimate of the construction of 100,000 houses in the first 321 year after the war includes the product of private enterprise.
§ Mr. WillinkThe estimate is based on the total figures of men and materials likely to be available. On the Question as to the part to be played by private enterprise, I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Kensington (Captain Duncan) on 3oth March, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan we be assured that the right hon. and learned Gentleman will safeguard the interests of private enterprise?
§ Mr. WillinkCertainly, Sir.
§ Mr. McGovernWill the Minister bear in mind that all the people of this country will want houses, no matter from which class they come?
§ Mr. WillinkI will bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes the Minister realise that that was precisely the answer I expected from him?
§ Mr. G. StraussIs the statement in the Question correct? Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman said that 100,000 houses will be constructed in the first year, or commenced in the first year?
§ Mr. WillinkThe Question is, I think, quite correct in that it refers to an estimate of the construction of 100,000 houses. The estimate was that, in the first year, there would be 100,000 houses built, or building.