§ 40. Mr. Higgsasked the Minister of Works if the aluminium house designed by the Aircraft Industries Research Association will be available for inspection by Members of Parliament and the general public; and, if so, when and where.
§ Mr. SandysOnly one prototype aluminium house has so far been constructed. This is at present undergoing transportation and erection tests. When these are completed in a few weeks time I propose to arrange for this prototype to be available for inspection by interested persons.
§ Mr. HiggsDoes the Minister intend to permit a large number of these houses to be manufactured before they have been properly tested and lived in?
§ Mr. SandysThey must be manufactured before they can be lived in.
§ Sir H. WilliamsAs I was in one of these houses the other day and it had been completely erected, why cannot the public see it? Surely, there are no security grounds why this house, which is half a mile from the House, should not be seen?
§ Mr. SandysThere is no secrecy about it, but there is only one prototype in existence and transportation tests are at present being carried out. These are very important, since the houses have to be taken long distances on lorries. As soon as these tests are completed the house will 1819 be made accessible to those who want to see it. Personally, I am not so very keen on these exhibitions. The country wants houses to live in and not to look at.