§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Key)I beg to move, in page 4, line 21, leave out "twelve" and insert "fifteen."
The purpose of this Amendment is to carry out are undertaking given by the Minister on the Committee stage of the Bill that there should be are extension from £1,200 to a further figure with regard to the advances which local authorities could make; to people for the purchase of houses. In Committee we considered making a difference between the Metropolitan area and the remainder of the country, but we are of opinion that that would be an unnecessary difference to make. We desire to carry the figure to £1,500. because the restrictions which are now placed upon licences to build houses of £1,200 in the country and £1,300 in the Metropolitan area are of only a temporary character to meet the 2723 conditions that exist at present. Sooner or later, they will be removed, and, therefore, we think there should be facilities for the purchase of houses beyond those standards.
§ Mr. Willink (Croydon, North)I have only very recently seen this Amendment, which, I think, only appeared on the Order Paper this morning, but I welcome it nevertheless. It was an Amendment moved by my hon. Friends and myself that put this idea into the mind of the Government. I welcome this Amendment from two points of view. In the first place, it widens the opportunities for people to buy houses, and as hon. Members know, we on this side of the House are very great believers in house ownership. I welcome it also from the point of view that I hope it indicates the beginning of a change of heart on the part of the Government, and the encouragement to private enterprise to build houses.
§ Mr. Wadsworth (Buckrose)I welcome this Amendment because I feel it is an attempt to make use of the whole of the building industry. I am anxious that the people of this country should be fully aware of this Clause. The extension from £1,300 to £1,500 for private dwellings will enable the small builders of the country to be utilised to the full extent. It is by only using the whole of the builders of this country that we shall get the job done. I feel that a great deal of good can be done by this extension, and that it will help building progress to be made.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Further Amendment made:
§ In page 4, line 31, leave out "twelve," and insert "fifteen." — [Mr. Key.]
§ Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Bill reported, with Amendments; as amended in Committee and on recommittal, considered.