§ 25. Mr. Hewlettasked the Minister of Health in how many districts the construction of new houses by local authorities is now in hand; and whether he can give any figures to indicate progress.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)The last of the war-time agricultural cottages are being completed in 64 districts. 2,560 of these cottages are now completed and the remainder should be finished very shortly. Apart from a few experiments in new forms of construction and the completion of a few houses left unfinished at the beginning of the war no other new houses are now being built by local authorities
34. Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Health whether any approximate date has been fixed for the resumption, on any notable scale, of the construction of new houses by local authorities; and whether plans are being made to ensure that when that moment arrives there will be adequate material and labour.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe determining factor in the resumption of building is the supply of labour and the date by which further labour may be expected to become available must in turn depend on the course of the war. I am not in a position to add anything further to the statement my right hon. Friend made on this subject during the Debate on 7th December last. Plans are being made to ensure that material will be ready as soon as the labour is available.