§ 21. Captain Gammansasked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the subsidies which it is proposed to pay to local authorities for working-class houses; and whether comparable subsidies will be paid to private builders who are prepared to erect similar types of houses for letting.
§ Mr. BevanThe question of subsidies to be paid to local authorities for working-class houses is still under discussion with their representatives.
§ Captain GammansWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my Question?
§ Mr. BevanThe second part of the Question will be answered, I hope to the hon. and gallant Member's satisfaction, when the subsidy proposals are before the House.
§ Major Tufton BeamishWill the Minister say whether he does not think that the returning ex-Servicemen, and the many other thousands without homes at the moment, would prefer to have a roof over their heads rather than that nobody should make a small profit out of building a decent house?
§ Mr. BevanI am not aware that any houses are not being built as a consequence of the absence of subsidy. [Hon. Members: "Oh."] Hon. Members opposite want it both ways. On the one hand, they say it is the lack of labour, and on the other they say it is the lack of cash. Which do they want?