§ 23. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he is refusing to allow Rothwell Urban District Council to build traditional houses when local brickyards have an abundance of bricks, to the extent of having no stocking place, which could be used for such building at a lower cost than that of the non-traditional type of house.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Ernest Marples)The demand for craftsmen for traditional house-building in this area exceeds the supply, and the two local brick-yards, according to their returns to the Ministry of Works, have no stocks in hand. My right hon. Friend hopes, therefore, that the council will be willing to build some of their houses by new-tradition methods.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes not this new tradition reflect itself in increased rents?
§ Mr. MarplesI do not think so. The prices of new-tradition houses varies throughout the country, but generally speaking it is in step with those for traditional houses.