HC Deb 16 May 1950 vol 475 cc993-4
34. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what proportion the £50,000 allocated to the heavily bombed cities of the country constitutes of the total sum to be made available toward reconstruction; what period will elapse before further instalments will be made; and in what proportions.

Mr. Dalton

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend, the Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. Logan) last Thursday.

Mr. Awbery

Is the Minister aware that £50,000 allocated to some ruined cities is chicken-feed compared with the amount required by them to repair their devastated centres? Is he aware that the only way to remedy this is for him to make an immediate substantial promise to increase this amount of £50,000.

Mr. Dalton

My hon. Friend dropped a nought. It is £500,000——

Mr. Awbery

That may be the total, but £50,000 is the figure for separate cities.

Mr. Dalton

The total is £500,000, and Bristol has a fair ration no doubt. I explained to my hon. Friend last Thursday that the whole question of finance for the reconstruction of blitzed city centres is now being reconsidered, and that I hope soon to make a statement.