HC Deb 18 January 1945 vol 407 cc346-8
39. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health how many temporary houses or hutments have been and are being erected in the London area; and approximately, the total number of applications made for accommodation by those who have lost their homes in the Metropolitan police area and the number of houses in this area that have been vacated by the Army or the R.A.F., but that are not being used for civilian accommodation.

Mr. Willink

Three thousand five hundred hutments have been supplied, of which 365 have been completed, and 1,636 are in hand. The number of applications made for accommodation of all kinds by homeless families is about 23,000. The answer to the last part of the Question is 12.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman really contend that only 12 houses have been vacated by the military authorities and are available for civilian occupation? Would he take my assurance that I can give him scores of other cases?

Mr. Willink

The hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension as to the exact terms of his Question, which referred to the number vacated and not being used for civilian accommodation. The number taken over by the Service Departments is 879, and of these 12 are unsuitable for civilian occupation at the moment and are being used for storage.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister aware that many houses were vacated by the military authorities months ago, and are still unoccupied in areas where accommodation is urgently needed?

Mr. Willink

That is not my information, but if the hon. Member will bring any particular case to my notice I will look into it.

43. Sir Percy Hurd

asked the Minister of Health whether means can now be found to enable local authorities to build houses in urgent cases, as for instance for men invalided from the services, especially where local labour and material are available.

Mr. Willink

The general position regarding labour and materials makes it impossible to go further than the limited scheme for rebuilding war damaged houses, announced to local authorities in my Circular 158/44 of 7th November, of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy. As regards future possibilities, I cannot add anything to my statement in the Debate on 7th December, 1944.

Sir P. Hurd

Should not those who have been wounded in the war be treated at least as well as those who have suffered from bombing in this country?

Mr. Willink

That seems a long way from the Question, but, of course, the answer to the question is "Yes."

Sir P. Hurd

That is my question. Will priority be given to men who have been wounded in the war equally with bombed-out people?

Mr. Willink

There was a question with regard to priorities by my hon. Friend the Member for Holland with Boston (Mr. Butcher) to which I gave a full answer just before Christmas.