HC Deb 24 March 1949 vol 463 c546
62. Mr. Bramall

asked the Minister of Health how many permanent houses it is planned to complete in the year 1949 within the gross investment figure of £420 million prescribed by the Economic Survey for 1949.

42. Mr. A. Edward Davies

asked the Minister of Health why, in view of the acute shortage of housing accommodation less money is earmarked in the Economic Survey for 1949 for new constructions and maintenance of permanent houses in England and Wales than in 1948.

Mr. Bevan

The figures in the Survey are broad indications of the estimated amount of expenditure on housing work during the year. I prefer not to make an estimate of the number of new houses which will be completed during the year, the course of the housing programmes being already fully indicated by the facts and figures in the published housing returns.

Mr. Piratin

As the Economic Survey shows that the contemplated expenditure on housing in the coming year is £55 million less than it was in the past year, will the Minister explain what reason there is for this other than that it means that fewer houses will be built?

Mr. Bevan

There are a large number of terminal expenditures falling to be paid in the last year owing to the temporary housing programme. Therefore, the difference in amounts does not of itself indicate a difference in the volume of work.