§ 6. Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to make a further statement on the wastage of manpower on the repair of C (b) houses in Stepney.
§ Mr. BevanThe number of C (b) houses repaired in Stepney since 14th September, 1945, is 301, and in addition nearly 2,200 other houses have been brought up to the standard of "reasonable comfort." The labour force engaged on this work has averaged a little over 1,400. This is appreciably better than during the preceding four months.
§ Mr. PiratinIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the position has been resolved both in Stepney and elsewhere, because the question has an all-London bearing and applies not only to Stepney?
§ Mr. BevanI am not satisfied, because many thousands of people are suffering grave hardship as the consequence of not having houses repaired, but in London alone there are 140,000 building workers on war damage repairs, and it is not possible to add to the number at the present time.
§ Mr. PiratinMay I ask the Minister why it is I have had no further reply in view of the fact that on 22nd November he said that the Report was not yet complete, but that he would let me have a reply at the. earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. Member will find, when he sees the Report next week, that progress has, in fact, been made in war damage repairs in London as the result of the changeover in method.
§ 7. Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Health on what grounds a representative of his Department urgently requested from the town clerk of the borough of Stepney a report upon the co-ordinating consultants, Messrs. Higgs and Hill, employed under the council in connection with C (b) schemes, the report to contain an appraisement of the firm's work and its efficiency, and asked if they are not already under an arrangement to leave and how long they need remain in the council's service.
§ Mr. BevanThis report was asked for in the course of the Department's normal work in supervising the organisation of war damage repairs by local authorities. I understand that the work done by Messrs. Higgs and Hill has been much appreciated by the Stepney Borough Council and the special arrangements with that firm are being terminated only because the local authority is itself now able to undertake the work.
§ Mr. PiratinIs the Minister aware that when the town clerk presented his report to the council, of which I am a member, he said it was at the request of the Minister of Health that this firm was being dispensed with? How does he explain that position?
§ Mr. BevanIf the hon. Gentleman will communicate with me, I will investigate his allegations. My information is that his council were anxious to undertake the work done by this firm, and I am astonished that the hon. Gentleman should take the side of the firm against his own authority.