§ 66. Mr. McKinlayasked the Minister of Works the number of temporary houses of the Phœnix type erected in Scotland to date; where they can be seen; what test has been applied to prove their suitability; where the test took place; and will the suppliers be held resonsible should their prove to be uninhabitable.
§ The Minister of Works (Mr. Duncan Sandys)No Phœnix houses have as yet been completed in Scotland, though a number are in course of erection. The prototype was thoroughly examined at all stages of construction by the Building Research Station and was approved by the technical Inter-Departmental Committee on Housing Construction. The responsibility for approving the specifications rests with the Ministry of Works, whilst the contractors are responsible for good workmanship in erection.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs it fair to local authorities to ask them to accept deliveries of houses of which they have no knowledge? Has the right hon. Gentleman satisfied himself that this type of house is suitable for erection in Scotland?
§ Mr. SandysI have no reason to suppose that Scottish conditions are so different that they will make this type of house unsuitable for use in Scotland. As regards the local authorities, I think that they are for the most part well aware of the different types which are being offered to them. As I have explained previously, this particular type is still in the experimental stage. We are putting up a number in order to test man-hours, costs and certain other questions.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if this is an experimental type it is too much to ask local authorities to accept 200 or 300 of them—none of which has arrived? Does not the right hon. Gentleman's answer bear' out the contention that the Ministry of Works would do much better to evacuate Scotland, because they know nothing about conditions in that part of the country?
§ 67. Mr. McKinlayasked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the temporary houses built by the Special Housing Association to the specification of his Department are in most cases quite uninhabitable; that tenants are withholding their rent; and if any action is contemplated against the persons responsible for the material and design.
§ Mr. SandysI assume my hon. Friend is referring to the emergency accommodation erected in a few areas in the west of Scotland in 1943. I am aware that in this case trouble has been experienced. Accommodation built elsewhere to the same specifications has, however, proved satisfactory. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is arranging for an inquiry.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs the Minister aware that some of the houses repaired were only completed in the last seven months; that they have been a soggy mess ever since they were erected, and that the Scottish Special Housing Association has been employing, I should say, at least too men filling in the seams of the houses to make them habitable for the people even after they have been occupied? Is this not further proof that the Ministry of Works do not know anything about the job in Scotland, and that they really ought to clear out?
§ Mr. SandysI really do not think that this is a nationalist issue.
§ Mr. McKinlayI agree.
§ Mr. McGovernIt is not; it is a practical issue.
§ Mr. SandysThis method of construction does require considerable skill in handling, and that skill has not been available in all cases. This particular method is not being pursued in future, because we tend to have trouble where the necessary experience is not available on the spot.