§ 25. Mrs. Middletonasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning how it is intended to make allocations of capital investment for the reconstruction of bomb destroyed towns.
§ Mr. DaltonMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Works and I have now made a survey to determine what labour and materials can be made available for the further reconstruction of blitzed city centres without holding up work on housing, industry and defence. I hope soon to be able to communicate further with the local authorities concerned.
§ Mrs. MiddletonIn thanking my right hon. Friend for his interest in this matter, not only in his present office but ever since 1945, may I ask him whether he will take steps to see that when structures are completed the resources of labour are not distributed and used on less essential projects? Will he keep in close contact with local authorities to that end so that the work may go on as speedily as the resources of the nation and the needs of the nation will allow?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir. We will certainly keep that in mind. I hope it will not be very long before we shall be able to have some definite news for the local authorities concerned.
Brigadier ClarkeDoes the Minister appreciate that very little has been done since 1945? Will he assure us that he will not keep this matter under consideration too long but will let us have some information for the bomb-damaged cities?
§ Mr. DaltonThe reconstruction of the centres of the blitzed cities is going on all the time. Of course, it is a question applying only to the city centres; it does not apply to housing, which is going on quite independently.