§ 16. Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in Stepney, between 16th May, 1945, and 12th September, 1945, only 106 C (b) dwellings were repaired; that the average number of man-hours occupied in repairing these houses was 4,000 man-hours per house; that the average cost of repair of these houses was £750 per house or £400 per dwelling; and what steps will he take to stop this waste of labour and public funds and to direct this effort immediately to the erection of new houses.
§ 31. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 598 many cinemas, large shops and similar buildings, are effecting extensive repairs, decorations and painting; and whether he is satisfied that such activities do not interfere with corresponding work being done to dwelling-houses and cottages.
§ Mr. BevanBuilding work of the kind referred to costing more than £10 needs a licence. Licences are issued in some instances by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Works, and in others by local authorities acting on his behalf; and in neither type of case should a licence be issued if avoidable interference with housing work would result. If my hon. Friend is aware of cases in which, in his opinion, avoidable interference is being caused, I should be glad to have particulars.