§ 23. Mr. Walker-Smithasked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to include in Appendix B to the Monthly Housing Return for England and Wales the number of persons on the waiting lists of the local authorities concerned.
§ Mr. BevanI do not think the extra burden on local authorities, which this would involve, would be justified.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the best index of achievement would be the rate of progress measured by the demand for houses, and is it not worth taking some trouble to achieve that index?
§ Mr. BevanWe already know—there is no dispute between us—what the extent of the need is The figure has been agreed. The figures on the housing lists would not be a true criterion at all of housing needs, because in many cases the same names are on different lists
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that the need has been agreed, can he say what the figure is because the figure he says and the figure we consider necessary vary very widely indeed?
§ Mr. BevanThe right hon. Gentleman will probably have an opportunity of dealing with this matter, but it has been stated over and over again—and for his information I will repeat it once more—that the last Government and this Government have agreed that 750,000 new dwellings are needed to give a separate home to every family in the country.
§ Mr. HudsonThat is not the measure of need in the country.
§ Mr. BevanThe measure of need in the country depends on the housing standards, and we are raising them.