§ 44. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the national sympathy for the bombed towns of Britain, he will increase the aid given to these towns in their work of reconstruction.
§ 49. Mr. Morleyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement as to the number of licences to be issued for reconstruction work in the bombed areas of Southampton during the remaining months of this year and the first six months of next year.
§ 69. Mr. Footasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he intends to make a statement on the amount of reconstruction work to be permitted in bombed cities under the capital investment programme.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI regret that I cannot yet add anything to the statement which I made in reply to Questions on this subject a week ago.
§ Mr. MorleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that only two licences for reconstruction have been granted in Southampton this year as against five licences last year, that there are 23 traders in Southampton who have by-law and planning authorisation to proceed with the reconstruction of their blitzed premises, but cannot get a licence, and that not only members of the Labour Party, but members of the Conservative Party in Southampton are disgusted with his lack of action in this matter?
§ Mr. MacmillanI hope to make a statement in due course, but, meanwhile, think I ought to put the hon. Gentleman in touch with the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Boardman), who has been very angry with me today because I have given licences.
§ Dr. KingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole country was very pleased with the initiative he showed in the disaster at Lynmouth this summer, that the whole country responded to the appeal made on behalf of this post-war calamity, and will not he show some of the same initiative in appealing to the Cabinet, and, through the Government, give a lead to the country in further considering the very just claims of the blitzed cities which had the honour of standing in the front line during the last war?
§ Mr. MacmillanI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his kind tribute, but he is aware of the opposite view so strongly held in other parts of his own party. I would point out that in this year. 1952, £1 million more work will be completed in the blitzed cities than in 1951.