§ 76 and 78. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Health (1) to what extent it has been his policy, during the past six months, to build up stocks of timber, even at the expense of forbidding its issue for the completion of houses already well advanced in construction; and whether he will give an assurance that all timber required for the completion of houses already started will be issued;
(2) whether he is aware that builders in the Huntingdon district are unable to proceed with the completion of partly built houses owing to the failure of his Department to grant licences for timber, which is already available in a timber yard at Earith, Hunts; and whether he will take such steps to have such timber released without further delay for the completion of houses now under construction.
§ Mr. BevanArrangements have been made for the issue of licences for timber to meet the current necessary requirements of the housing programme. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, in which the issue of a licence is being delayed, and will give me details, I will have inquiries made.
§ Mr. RentonIs the Minister aware that I have given him details in Question 78? Would he kindly answer that Question, 2122 and, in doing so, say why timber which is already available cannot be placed at the disposal of builders whose houses are partly constructed and who need it?
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. Member will realise that the allocation of timber is one of the great difficulties of the present time; I have arranged, however, that, where housing progress is such that the houses have over-run the allocation, there must be new licences issued immediately in order that there may be no delay in the supply of timber.