HC Deb 03 April 1947 vol 435 cc2197-8
16. Lieut-Colonel Lipton

asked the President of the Board of Trade why more than 1,000 British-made houses have recently been exported to Holland.

Sir S. Cripps

The export of these houses was approved over a year ago in response to an urgent appeal by the Dutch for assistance in repairing devastation from war operations. The houses are not of a type selected for the British housing programme and do not include most of the fitments in short supply in this country. The Dutch are themselves providing the whole of the timber work.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Why are licences prohibited in regard to the sale of this type of house?

Sir S. Cripps

It is not one of the types selected for use in this country.

Major Legge-Bourke

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give any reason why these houses were turned down? Is it not a fact that the price of them is considerably less than the prices of types adopted?

Sir S. Cripps

That question should be addressed to the Minister of Health and not to me.

Mr. Hoy

Is it not a fact that tenants of these houses have had to pay considerable sums of money in repairs?

Mr. Hurd

Could not some of these houses be made available to farmers and landowners for their farm workers?

Sir S. Cripps

That question should be addressed to the Minister of Health.

Mr. George Wallace

Will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that these houses require a large number of fittings such as are urgently required in this country, and materials as well, and. therefore, they must be exported?

Sir S. Cripps

I pointed out in the original answer that these houses do not include most of the fittings which are in short supply.

26. Mr. Spence

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many timber houses have been exported from this country since 1st January, 1946; to what countries they have been sent; and what was the average price and the number of standards of timber used in their construction.

Sir S. Cripps

So far as I am aware, none, Sir. The rest of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Spence

Will the Minister say whether there was no timber at all in the houses supplied, because the contrary has definitely been stated?

Sir S. Cripps

So I have been informed. The Dutch are supplying all the timber required.