§ 44. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has considered the resolution passed by the House Building Committee of the Birmingham City Council on the ending of building licensing; what reply he has sent; and what steps he proposes to prevent the further depletion in the labour supply for local authority house-building in Birmingham after the end of licensing.
§ Mr. SandysYes, Sir. The council have been thanked for sending my Department a copy of their resolution, which is being considered.
§ Mr. ChapmanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is an area of increasing population where it is increasingly difficult to find enough labour to build more and more council houses, and if the ending of licensing results in a depletion of the labour force, will the Minister receive a deputation to talk over the problem involved?
§ Mr. SandysI think the hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. Next year's allocation for house-building in Birmingham has not yet been fixed. It is therefore too soon to assume that it will be inadequate.