HC Deb 21 June 1948 vol 452 cc923-4
17. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Minister of Works whether he can now make any further statement about the licensing of building work and particularly upon the amount of work that can be done without the necessity for applying for a licence.

Mr. Key

Yes, Sir. Although economic conditions do not permit of any substantial relaxation of the building licensing scheme, I have today made an order providing that a sum of not more than £100 may be spent on any one property in the twelve months starting on 1st July without applying for a building licence. The position will be kept under review and should the new arrangement be found to prejudice the progress of urgent work it will have to be reconsidered.

Mr. Chetwynd

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that at this moment there are adequate building materials to meet this concession? Is he further satisfied that the concession will not result in a drain of manpower from essential house-building?

Mr. Key

Any materials normally in short supply would need a W.B.A. certificate for their priority. We need therefore fear no shortage of supply of materials. So far as labour is concerned, the present situation is that ordinary decorating labour is in good supply.

Mr. Collins

While congratulating the Minister upon the concession, which will be welcomed everywhere, may I ask him what effect it will have upon the licensing powers of local authorities who are at present working on a monthly quota?

Mr. Key

Local authorities will be asked to take into account the amount of work below £100 which they licensed in the previous period and to make allowance for that in the licences they issue in the succeeding period.

Mr. George Hicks

While congratulating my right hon. Friend upon what he has done in this matter in raising the figure from to £10, to £100; may I ask whether he is aware that the labour chiefly required will be decorating labour and not general building labour.

Mr. Key

Yes, Sir. Decorating labour is not in short supply at the moment.

Mr. Vane

While regretting that the right hon. Gentleman has taken so long to give this concession, may I ask whether he confirms the fact that £100 does not include any element of the cost of the owner's own labour, as was the case with the original £10?

Mr. Key

So far as the owner is concerned, his labour will not be taken into account, but the volunteer labour of anybody else will have to be accounted for.