HC Deb 02 November 1944 vol 404 cc937-9
17. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the small number of persons who can be accommodated in temporary houses erected on the sites of houses destroyed, he has any estimate of the total number of persons in the London and Greater London area who will ultimately be temporarily rehoused on such sites compared with the number previously living in the houses now destroyed; and what action has been taken to impress on more fortunate areas, with vacant spaces, the need of erecting temporary houses to accommodate those who can no longer live in their pre-war district.

Mr. Willink

No, Sir. I can assure my hon. Friend that in considering sites for temporary rehousing, borough boundaries may, if necessary, be disregarded.

Mr. Sorensen

While appreciating that reply, may I ask the Minister whether he realises that in many parts of London and outer London the number of prefabricated houses, when erected, will accommodate only a small proportion of those whose homes have been destroyed?

Mr. Willink

The fact that borough boundaries can be disregarded is relevant to that point. Not only are local authorities looking for sites, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning has made a survey of the whole of the London region.

19. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there is no guarantee that persons who have lost their homes by enemy action and who had purchased or were purchasing their houses shall have priority for the occupation of temporary accommodation erected on the sites; that where such persons are granted such temporary accommodation the rent added to interest paid on outstanding mortgage will increase their financial burden: and if further consideration will be given to the matter.

Mr. Willink

Whilst there is, as my hon. Friend suggests, no guarantee, local authorities will I am sure give sympathetic consideration to the class of case he mentions. As regards the second part of the Question, I would remind my hon. Friend of the payments to be made by the War Damage Commission.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the Minister appreciate that there is a good deal of disquiet and resentment because many bombed-out people arc now paying much more than they would have been paying had their houses remained undamaged? Cannot he give some advice to local authorities as to priority?

Mr. Willink

Guidance as to priority is customarily given by my Department on housing matters, but discretion eventually rests with the local authorities. As regards the particular houses the hon. Gentleman has referred to, a great number will be those which have been built since 1914. If they have been destroyed, they will attract a cost-of-works payment and it is, therefore, probable that bungalows would not be put on the site.

23. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange immediately for the transfer of suitable Army huts to areas where civilian accommodation is urgently required or to their availability for this purpose if already situated in such areas; and whether he will seek the temporary release from the Armed Forces of all men in this country with building experience and skill, particularly of the supervisory type,

Mr. Willink

I am advised that the transfer of these huts would not be practicable, but I am carefully examining the possibilities where the huts are conveniently sited. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to my hon. and learned Friend, the Member for Ilford (Mr. G. Hutchinson) on 11th October.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister aware that after the last war many Army huts were transferred, and fulfilled a very useful purpose? If that was possible then, why is it not possible now?

Mr. Willink

I am aware that it was possible then, but it would be a great misuse of labour at the present moment.

Mr. Sorensen

In view of the urgency of the position, ought there not to be an experiment?

Mr. Willink

The urgency of the position is exactly the reason for using labour in the most economic way.