Birmingham (Hansard, 24 November 1949)

19. Sir Patrick Harmon
asked the Minister of Health if he will order an inquiry into the circumstances affecting housing conditions in Birmingham, where the rate of housing has been only 50 per cent. of the average for the whole country; if he will consult with the Minister of Labour with a view to increasing the supply of manpower for the construction of houses to meet the needs of over 50,000 applicants now on the register of the estates committee of the city; and if this problem will engage his urgent attention.

§ Mr. Bevan
No, Sir. I am informed that detailed proposals for improving housing progress in Birmingham have recently been adopted by the Corporation, including measures aimed at augmenting the manpower on house building. Every possible assistance is being given by my regional officers and by the Ministry of Labour.

§ Sir P. Hannon
In view of the grievous situation of housing in Birmingham, is it not a strange fact that 1.95 houses per thousand are being built there against 3.75 in the country as a whole? Surely something can be done to improve the rate?

§ Mr. Bevan
There is so much private work going on in that area that it is very difficult for the Corporation to keep up its manpower. We are doing our best by planning to try to make a proper distribution between the private and public sectors, but it is not always easy, and we do not always have the most willing instruments.

§ Mr. Yates
Is my right hon. Friend aware that owing to the deterioration in the housing position in Birmingham the 10 Labour Members for the city are endeavouring to have a conference with the local authority, and that so far it has been reluctant to agree to one, even though we asked for it as long ago as July? In this situation, if the Minister does not agree to an inquiry, will he meet the Members of Parliament for the city so that this whole situation can be considered?

§ Mr. Bevan
I am always ready to meet Members from any part of the House, but my hon. Friend would not expect me to enter into a discussion as between Members of Parliament and their local authorities.

§ Sir P. Hannon
Surely the Minister realises—and I am much obliged for the interest he takes in this Question—that we have 55,000 applicants in Birmingham for accommodation? Surely something can be done to arrange for such labour power as is available to engage in the building of houses?

§ Mr. Bevan
Birmingham has a large number of people who would like to have council houses, but it must not necessarily be assumed that every applicant for a council house is actually in need of accommodation, although we know that there are very large numbers of people who are in need of accommodation.

§ Mr. Julius Silverman
Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are well over 20,000 applicants with children, who are clearly in need—in most cases badly in need—of accommodation, and that this percentage is probably one of the highest in the country, and that the rate of construction of municipal houses is, in fact, not 50 per cent. of the rate for the country but a third of the rate for the country? Does he not think that calls for very special consideration?

§ Mr. Bevan
The answer to my hon. Friend is that the building industry is working to its full capacity, and the only way in which we can get more houses built is by not building something else. Then we have to consider priorities. Those priorities have been considered.