§ II. Sir Peter Macdonaldasked the Minister of Works what is the cause of the delay in erecting 50 temporary houses at Ryde, Isle of Wight, for which sites have been prepared and houses delivered as far back as June last; how many men are now employed on the site; and what is the cost to date of providing these houses.
§ Mr. TomlinsonDelay in erection was caused by shortage of labour and the need for concentrating first on the preparation of slab foundations and other site works. About 42 men are now employed, and better progress is being made. The cost to date is about £35,000.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldIs the Minister aware that I visited the site last week and found that no progress had been made at all, although numbers of men are on the site? Is it not a fact that hundreds of people are waiting for houses in Ryde? Why are not local authorities and contractors consulted about the erection of these houses, which have been on the sites for months?
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe first foundations were not completed until 17th July, and not June, as is stated in the Question. We have had difficulties in regard to labour supply, but since then satisfactory progress has been made.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldIs it not a fact that not one house has been completed yet and that all the houses are being put up at the same time? Could not some of them be completed now?