HC Deb 07 August 1947 vol 441 cc1618-9
22. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Health if he will permit local authorities who have nearly completed current programmes to start more houses now, so that full advantage can be taken of the good building weather and so ensure that additional houses are ready for occupation early in 1948.

Mr. Bevan

I shall be ready to consider individual cases in relation to the general situation.

Mr. Collins

Will my right hon. Friend say if he is aware that many urban authorities in mainly county districts are, to an increasing degree, letting new houses to farm workers, and if he will take that matter into consideration when allocating new programmes, as it could provide a valuable contribution to the drive for housing farm workers and would greatly assist the farming industry?

Mr. Bevan

There are many urban authorities surrounded by very deep rural belts and quite often they provide houses for rural workers there. At the same time we should have to consider using urban building facilities far more widely in the rural belts. I do not know.