§ 67. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Barking has been supplied with only 700 extra workers to carry out house repairs whereas at least 1,500 are required; and whether he will take steps to provide this number.
§ Mr. WillinkThe number of workers employed on first aid repairs in Barking has been increased from 356 on July 5th to 1,006 on 27th September. I appreciate that Barking, in common with most other districts in the London region, requires additional labour and this is being secured as rapidly as possible and will be allocated according to needs.
§ 74. Mr. Colmanasked the Minister of Health the average number of bomb- 1132 damaged houses in the Greater London area which have been repaired in such a way as to be made habitable for each of the weeks commencing 28th August.
§ Mr. WillinkDuring September an average of 22,500 houses per week received preliminary first-aid repairs to roofs and windows, to make them wind and watertight. Further work, where labour was available, was done to an average of 35,000 houses per week, to make less uncomfortable.
Mr. AstorHow soon does my right hon. and learned Friend think that these houses which have been first-aided will get secondary repairs, to make them adequate to stand up against the rigours of winter?
§ Mr. WillinkThere is a programme which goes in stages, the first of which is to make a house wind and weather proof. As my answer indicates, a large number of houses have got beyond that stage, and are not only made wind and weather proof, but are made less uncomfortable.