§ 25. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what is the cost of the salaries, office accommodation and administration of the Harlow Development Corporation, of 13, Grosvenor Square; and, in view of the fact that there will be no building for at least two years, why it was necessary to spend £11,500 to accommodate the general manager and his family, and to appoint a woman welfare officer at a salary of £1,200 a year.
§ The Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Silkin)As to cost of salaries and administration, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Hertford (Mr. Walker-Smith) on 11th November. As to accommodation, the Harlow Corporation share the Grosvenor Square premises with the other corporations. As to the figure of £11,500 mentioned in the Question, the hon. Member is quite wrong. The corporation have, with my consent, purchased a house and cottage at Harlow costing £6,500. Half of the house is let as a residence to the general manager, and half is used for board room and other office accommodation for the members of the corporation. The cottage is let to another member of the staff. I am satisfied that the salary being paid to the social development officer, who is, I assume, the officer the hon. Member has in mind, is commensurate with her qualifications and responsibilities. It is necessary now to staff the new town corporations with a few highly qualified and competent officers, so that the foundations for their future development may be soundly laid.
§ Sir W. SmithersIn View of the housing and labour shortages, how can the Minister justify such expenditure at this time of austerity; and why is a Ministry of the Crown setting such a bad example in not reducing expenditure?
§ Mr. SilkinThese particular premises were offered for sale, and the Corporation bought them with my consent.
§ Sir W. SmithersWhy does not the Minister put some families into them?
§ Mr. SilkinI have done so.