§ 33. Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Works how many experimental houses have been built at Northolt; how many workpeople are now engaged on their maintenance; and how many of the houses have had burst pipes during the recent frosts.
§ Mr. SandysThe experimental site at Northolt contains about 30 dwellings. The maintenance staff employed is 5. Damage by frost was caused to pipes in 21 dwellings over Christmas, when only one night watchman was on duty.
§ Sir H. Williams. Is my right hon. Friend aware that two or three days ago a friend of mine counted 17 maintenance workers on the job, with 3 in the canteen looking after them? Will he make further inquiries, as the information supplied to him is absolutely inaccurate?
§ Mr. SandysI have made inquiries and I do not think that my information is inaccurate. The other people that he saw, particularly those in the canteen, could hardly be reckoned as maintenance staff, nor would it be their primary work to look after burst pipes. But there has evidently been some negligence, and, as regards the number of people employed on the site, I am looking into that also.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware that the number engaged on maintenance work is 17?
§ Mr. SandysI do not think so.
§ Mr. G. StraussBut is it not possible to build a modern house in such a way that the pipes will not burst?
§ Mr. SandysThese are unoccupied houses but, no doubt, when the frost started, steps should have been taken to see that the water was cut off.
§ Mr. BowlesHow is it that in Switzerland where there are severe frosts none of these troubles arise?
§ Mr. SandysI understand that water freezes in Switzerland just the same as it does in this country.
§ Mr. BowlesNot in the houses.