HC Deb 06 May 1948 vol 450 cc1438-9
34. Mr. Baker White

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the fact that there are large stocks of bricks and timber in the S.E. Region, and increasing unemployment among building workers, he will now issue licences for private building in the Herne Bay and Whitstable areas.

Mr. Bevan

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the Question from the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 18th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. Baker White

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many builders in the country who are not engaged on any local authority work, and that those referred to in my Question have given a definite guarantee that they could build 200 houses a year? Ought they not to be allowed to get on with the job?

Mr. Bevan

The guarantee is in reference to their capacity to build, which depends on the stocks of timber which are available—and I know more about that than the local builders.

Mr. Baker White

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the stocks of bricks and timber in the South-East region are larger than they have ever been in history.

Mr. Bevan

Yes, and they are all mortgaged for the housing programme.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have more unemployed bricks in my constituency than constituents?

Mr. Bevan

That is a remarkable revolution when we realise that in the past the hon. Member had many more unemployed constituents than bricks.