HC Deb 16 December 1958 vol 597 cc940-1
14. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of additional houses local authorities will be able to start within the next four to five months in response to his Circular No. 60/58.

Mr. H. Brooke

This will depend on the extent to which local authorities speed up the letting of tenders, and I cannot make any estimate of that.

Mrs. Butler

Is it not unrealistic to expect local authorities to turn their building programmes on and off like a tap? If the Minister is really serious in wanting them to increase council house building, should not he extend the period laid down in the circular? If not, and if he does not look into the financial difficulties of local authorities, is not the circular a mere piece of political window dressing?

Mr. Brooke

No, the circular is a piece of excellent good sense. Certain local authorities have intimated to me that they were not being enabled to get on with house building as quickly as they wished. This circular now gives them the "go ahead".

Mr. Lindgren

But will not the Minister agree that for effective, efficient and economic housing development continuity of programme is essential, and that the action of the Government from time to time during the last few years has prevented that happening?

Mr. Brooke

No. It has always been held that the speeding up or slowing down of public authority work may be a valuable contribution towards the handling of the nation's economic affairs. It seems to me to be perfectly reasonable that at this time, when the resources of the nation are not overstrained, local authorities should be encouraged to go ahead quickly with jobs which may be started and completed within the next twelve months.

Mr. Mitchison

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that the need is emphasised since the number of houses being built by local authorities is now little more than half what it was four years ago?

Mr. Brooke

The total number of houses being built is far, far greater than it ever was under a Socialist Government.

Mr. Mitchison

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the total number of houses being built is little more than three-quarters of what it was four years ago?