HC Deb 26 June 1947 vol 439 cc665-6
25. Brigadier Low

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the timber shortage facing contractors for the current housing programme in Blackpool; and what steps he is taking to ensure that sufficient timber is available.

Mr. Bevan

Yes, Sir. There is a general shortage, but every effort is being made to secure more imports, and I expect some improvement in supplies soon.

Brigadier Low

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that as far as possible timber importers in the area who have timber available which is about to go to housing contracts are not ordered by the Ministry of Supply to send it elsewhere to Government factories, or to transport undertakings ?

Mr. Bevan

It may often happen that the factory has a priority over the house.

Mr. Medland

Will the Minister give an undertaking that before this very badly needed timber is sent to towns like Blackpool, "blitzed" cities will have the first call on the timber?

Mr. Bevan

Plymouth can always be relied upon to make its wants known.

Commander Galbraith

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the order of priority? Is not housing first priority?

Mr. Bevan

In some instances, in the development areas, it is rather more important to have employment for people than to have idle people living in houses, and there priority is often given to factories, and I think the House will endorse that.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in one urban district in the same county all progress on houses has been stopped for nine weeks owing to lack of floorboards?

Mr. Bevan

If housing construction has been held up for lack of floorboards it is because the contractor has ignored the advice I gave many months ago.

Brigadier Low

Is the right hon. Gentleman suggesting that people who go into these houses built by local authorities are idle people?

Mr. Bevan

No, but that it often happens that factories have priority over houses.