§ 13. Mr. Peter Robertsasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning how many permanent houses per 1,000 1736 of the population have been completed between 1st April, 1945, and 1st March, 1951, or the nearest convenient date, in the respective areas of Nottingham, Bristol, Norwich and Sheffield.
§ Mr. DaltonOn 31st March, 1951, the figures were 16.9, 20.5, 27.7 and 11.8, respectively.
§ Mr. RobertsCould the Minister explain why the figures are so much less in the case of Sheffield than in those other towns? Will he not look into this again to see if he cannot increase the number of licences for Sheffield and enable Sheffield to come more or less into line with the others?
§ Mr. DaltonI am always prepared to increase an allocation to an authority if there is any evidence it can make use of it within the time, and keep a balanced programme.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that labour cannot arrive on the sites until the licences have been granted?
§ Mr. DaltonThere is a general, flow of licensing going on all the time. We have an allocation here, and as the year goes on, if there is evidence that the local authority can complete the work, I should be glad to consider it.