§ 55. Mr. Erskine-Hillasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgency of the housing situation, he will set up a separate Ministry of Housing so as to accelerate the solution of the problem.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. Progress with this all important task would not be made any easier if a new Ministry were to be set up.
§ Mr. Erskine-HillDoes not the Prime Minister think that a considerable amount of delay is caused by the number of Ministries which are involved in this subject?
§ The Prime MinisterI am certainly not anxious to multiply the number of Ministers in existence more than is absolutely necessary, and I am of opinion that the machinery which is now at work is discharging its functions with a very considerable degree of smoothness.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWould the Prime Minister not consider asking the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade to take this job on, as he has no other occupation at present?
§ Mr. MolsonSince the Minister of Reconstruction has been entrusted with the co-ordination of the work of the various Departments for the emergency sheltering of Londoners, will the Prime Minister consider entrusting him also with the coordination of all existing Departments dealing with the whole of the housing problem?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, housing matters become a matter of the very first urgency after the immediate needs of the war. We will take the best measures possible.