HC Deb 15 March 1945 vol 409 cc375-6
33. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Health if he is requiring both emergency and permanent houses ranking for Government subsidy to be equipped with the complete installation of labour-saving kitchen equipment, etc., similar to that now to be seen in emergency houses on exhibition at the Tate Gallery site.

Mr. Willink

The temporary houses supplied by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works will have equipment, etc., similar to that shown in the demonstration houses near the Tate Gallery. Permanent houses built by local authorities will be equipped on the lines recommended in Housing Manual, 1944.

Mr. Bossom

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say whether the Government provide equipment, or whether local authorities have to purchase it themselves?

Mr. Willink

The great bulk of the equipment for temporary houses will be provided by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

69. Mr. Bossom

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the 30,000 postwar houses coining from the United States under Lend-lease contain modern kitchen and bathroom equipment; and if this will prevent British manufacturers of similar equipment from exporting it.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)

I understand that the temporary houses we are to receive from the United States will contain certain fixed equipment made to United States specifications which it would be difficult to supply or uneconomic to fit into the houses in this country. Housing fittings are for the most part in very short supply, and the heavy demands of the United Kingdom housing programme must have priority over all other requirements.

Mr. J. J. Lawson

Ts it possible for us to learn where these houses are going to?

Captain Waterhouse

Not from the Board of Trade.