HC Deb 03 July 1950 vol 477 c12
16. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Works the estimated number of men at present employed on building Government offices and other Government buildings excluding quarters for the fighting or other services; and what is the estimated number engaged in building new houses.

Mr. Stokes

The latest figures are for the end of April. At that date, about 5,000 men were employed on buildings intended for use as Government offices, about 20,000 men were estimated to be employed on various other Government buildings and about 260,000 on new houses.

Mr. Keeling

Will the Minister give an assurance that in future Government Departments which want new offices will be required to stand second in the queue to the miserable families who are waiting for houses?

Mr. Stokes

That always is the case. The Government have licensed up to the full the construction of houses in accordance with their programme, and offices very much take second place.

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