HC Deb 27 February 1951 vol 484 cc1906-7
44. Mr. Profumo

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he can indicate the extent to which the Government's present housing programme will have to be reduced as a result of the proposed defence plans.

Mr. Dalton

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15th February.

Mr. Profumo

Does this mean that building trades will be reserved occupations, and in view of the statement to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred me, if we are to believe the boast of his predecessor that under his policy the country was getting the maximum possible number of new houses, how is it that with the vastly increased demand on manpower and raw materials because of the defence plan, we can expect no reduction in building? Does not this make nonsense of the previous boasts of the Government?

Mr. Dalton

That is a very long supplementary question compared with the statement of my right hon. Friend, which I will read: There may be some interference with the completion of local housing programmes"— that is, consequent upon re-armament— but it is not our intention to reduce the housing programme as a whole."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th February, 1951; Vol. 484, c. 653.]

Mr. Profumo

That was what I had in mind.