HC Deb 01 November 1945 vol 415 cc596-7
11. Mr. Renton

asked the Minister of Health what financial assistance he intends to give to local authorities in carrying out the housing programme.

Mr. Bevan

Proposals will be submitted to Parliament as soon as I have completed my preliminary consultations with representatives of local authorities. I am about to begin these forthwith.

Mr. Renton

Is the Minister aware that no more recent instruction is available to local authorities than that given by his Department in his predecessor's time last April, and that it was based upon an Act passed before the war; and that the local authorities are meanwhile gravely handicapped in that respect?

Mr. Bevan

Local housing authorities are perfectly well aware that the arrangements which will be arrived at will apply to houses that are being erected now, and it is perfectly obvious that it would be very foolish indeed to establish permanent subsidy conditions until we have a clear idea of building prices.