§ 7. Mr. Goronwy Robertsasked the Minister of Health to what causes he ascribes the lower rate of progress in housing in Wales as compared with other regions of the United Kingdom; and if he proposes to take steps to correct the disparity.
§ Mr. BevanHaving regard to the labour available, the progress does not compare unfavourably. Every effort has been made to increase the labour force.
§ Mr. RobertsIn view of the fact that in the Southern and Eastern regions of England, both of which have populations slightly less than Wales, the housing operations since the war are about double those in Wales, does he not think that there is a case for a searching inquiry into the position?
§ Mr. BevanThere is no need for an inquiry, as we know the reason. We know that between the war years, Wales, as a whole, lost a great deal of its population and a great deal of its building force. After the war, there was, therefore, a far greater building force in South and South-Eastern England than there was in Wales. In other words, this proves that we have to pay now for the pre-war neglect of Wales.