HC Deb 06 June 1946 vol 423 cc2149-51
41. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that his circular 100/46, dated 13th May, which prohibits the issue of priority certificates for materials for the repair and maintenance of houses, is making it impossible for householders to comply with statutory notices to remedy defective sanitation; that in consequence some local authorities are proposing to discontinue the issue of such notices, which could not be enforced; and whether, in the interests of health, he will arrange for priority in supply to be given when the local authority gives a certificate of urgency.

Mr. Key

No, Sir. As my right hon. Friend explained in answer to a number of hon. Members on 9th May, builders merchants have been instructed to meet demands for materials and components required for specially urgent work, or for repairs and other work required by statutory notice; and, as he further explained in answer to subsequent Questions on 23rd May, arrangements have been made whereby merchants who supply materials in good faith for urgent repair work can obtain priority for the necessary replacements. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the instructions, and if he knows of cases which have arisen since the issue of these instructions, in which householders have been unable to obtain materials required to comply with statutory notices, I should be glad if he would let me have particulars.

Mr. Keeling

Has not the Minister seen representations which have been sent to him from the Town Clerk of Twickenham and the Town Clerk of Westminster․ both very important places? Is he aware that whatever the instructions were that were issued some weeks ago, the machinery for obtaining supplies for replacing such things as broken lavatory pans and broken waste pipes has, in fact, broken down?

Mr. Key

Our information is quite contrary to that; that since the issue of the instructions to which I have referred, things have gone quite well.

Mr. Assheton

Would the hon. Member be so good as to look into the matter, because it is the experience of a large number of hon. Members that it is not at all satisfactory at present?

Mr. Key

I should question that. In the first issue of the W.B.A. priority arrangements, there were misunderstandings. But since the issue of the instructions of which I have spoken, things have been put on a right basis, and are working satisfactorily. But, as I have said, if there are any instances brought to my notice which can be investigated, they will be investigated.

Mrs. Castle

Is the Minister aware that recently plumbers have made official representations to his Department that that they cannot get the necessary materials for local sanitary repairs, and, therefore, it looks as though his intentions have not percolated to the merchants who are wanting to use these materials?

Mr. Key

I think the complaints to which hon. Members are referring were those which originated before the issue of the subsequent instructions to which I have referred, but I can only repeat that, if specific instances are given to us, we will make every inquiry and see that they are dealt with.

Mr. Assheton

Is the hon. Gentleman referring to repairs which are necessary as a result of a statutory instruction or which become necessary although there is no statutory order, but which are just as important in many cases?

Mr. Key

In my reply I stated that these were things arising either from the issue of statutory notices, necessities for sanitary repairs or the necessities to prevent danger to the structure. Those three categories were covered by the answer I gave.

Mr. Assheton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware there are other things, for example, a lock which was broken by a burglar, and for which it is impossible to get a replacement? There is no sanitary difficulty arising there.

Mr. Yates

Is my hon. Friend aware that a serious situation is arising in Birmingham on this particular point; that there is a considerable number of houses which cannot be put into a proper state of repair because several builders now say that they are not able to obtain the necessary materials in order to carry out statutory obligations?

Mr. Bossom

Is not the Minister aware that this House was asked to vote £100 million so as to make ordnance factories capable of making these special parts, and are we to understand that the ordnance factory proposals of his Ministry have failed dismally?