§ 77. Sir Patrick Hannonasked the Minister of Health if he will state the total allocation of temporary houses to Birmingham; how many of those houses have been erected; how many of the prefabricated houses from America, delivered last September, have been completed and the reasons why delay has taken place.
§ Mr. BevanThe total allocation of temporary houses to Birmingham is 4,631. Six hundred and fifty-nine of these have been erected and 473 completed ready for occupation. One hundred and nineteen American houses are erected and almost complete. The erection of the American houses is being undertaken by the corporation, who have apparently had difficulty in obtaining some of the equipment which is produced in this country. I am looking into this.
§ Sir P. HannonIs the Minister satisfied that the progress of housing in Birmingham now is satisfactory? Is it not a fact that confusion reigns in the Ministry of Works and in his Department?
§ Mr. BevanNo, Sir, there is no confusion whatever. With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, I am certainly not satisfied with the provision of houses, either in Birmingham or anywhere else. [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear."] I knew that would receive the enthusiastic support of hon. Members opposite.
§ 78. Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Health the cost of prefabricated houses in Birmingham, including purchase price and cost of erection; and how many of the prefabricated houses recently erected have been condemned because they are not fireproof.
§ Mr. BevanI am not yet in a position to add to the information given in the White Paper on the Temporary Housing Programme (Cmd. 6686). I am not aware that any houses have been condemned because they are not fireproof.
§ Sir P. HannonIs it true that some of these houses actually cost £2,000 to erect?
§ Mr. BevanI would be surprised to hear that. I know very well that these houses are exceedingly expensive, but I am not responsible for that.
§ 88. Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Works if his attention has been called to the confusion which has arisen in Birmingham housing schemes consequent upon acute difference on the building programme between his Department and the Public Works Committee; and if he will give more sympathetic support to the promotion of housing in Birmingham.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Harold Wilson)My right hon. Friends the Ministers of Health and Works have had a discussion with the chairman of the Public Works Committee and other representatives of the Birmingham City Corporation on 10th March at which it was thought the main differences had been resolved. An officer of my Department will see the Public Works Committee for the purpose of clearing any difficulties which may remain.
§ Sir P. HannonIs it not a fact that housing in Birmingham, where we have 35,00o applications for houses, has been frustrated beyond question by the differences between the Ministry of Works and the local authority?
§ Mr. WilsonNo, Sir, that is not the fact.