§ 26. Mr. Leslie Haleasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses will be licensed for completion by public authorities in England and Wales for the period 1st January, 1952, to 31st December, 1952; and what proportion of licences is to be made available for building for private owners.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI do not altogether understand the phrase "licensed for completion." A licence is a permission to start, and is not a term applicable to houses built by local authorities.
Allocations to local authorities are related to local needs and to progress made in each case. I hope shortly to be able to make a statement on the second part of the Question.
§ Mr. HaleWould the right hon Gentleman consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer who told the House that in future it will be "licences to be completed" because in the past there has been some delay in erection? Will be tell us when he will be in a position to come to the House and say how many houses the Government propose to try to build next year, and the hopes they have of doing it?
§ Mr. MacmillanI will answer the question which I hope the hon. Gentleman asked. I hope to make a statement on the second part of his Question, but I need a little time. I hope it may be made next week. On the general progress, I should have thought hon. Members would have welcomed such a policy: I propose to make as much progress all the time as it is possible to make.
§ Mr. Douglas JayCan the right hon. Gentleman at least tell us how soon he will be able to say how many houses he is going to build in 1952?
§ Mr. MacmillanNo, Sir, but I hope very soon to be able to tell the House how many houses the late Government succeeded in building in 1951.