§ 26. Squadron-Leader Donnerasked the Minister of Health what is the total housing capacity of the housing estates with roads and sewers already laid on, the full development of which by the owning con tractors and firms was stopped by the war; and what is the present position regarding such estates.
§ Mr. BevanAccording to particulars furnished by local authorities to my Department in 1943, the approximate housing capacity of privately owned building sites of substantial area in various stages of development at the outbreak of war was 330,000. It is not known how many of the licences issued for the erection of dwellings by private enterprise relate to dwellings to be erected on sites described in the Question.
§ Squadron-Leader DonnerIs not the delay in this matter due to prejudice and class discrimination?
§ Mr. BevanThere is no delay involved in the matter at all, because if these sites are available and in an advanced state of preparation, they can be used for public housing.
§ Squadron-Leader DonnerIs not the Minister aware that nothing is being done at all?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Walker-SmithIs it not a fact that many of these sites which were serviced by private enterprise have been compulsorily acquired by local authorities without any effective result in terms of houses?
§ Mr. BevanThose sites which were, be fore the war, in private ownership would have been in public ownership had the public authorities been allowed to acquire them.