§ 23. Mr. Eric Johnsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many prefabricated houses in Manchester have been burnt since they were first erected; and in how many cases this has been due to faults in the electrical wiring.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI am told that 25 fires in temporary prefabricated houses have been attended by fire brigades in Manchester since 1st January, 1946. Of these nine are known to have been caused by faults in the electric wiring.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Manchester city authorities criticised this wiring when it was first installed? In view of the very grave danger of fire, will my right hon. Friend take some steps to put the matter right and so allay the great anxiety of people who are living in these houses?
§ Mr. MacmillanI will do what I can, but it is very difficult to do more than to deal with the matter more or less ad hoc, and to see whether some special inquiry can be made.