§ 12. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what further detailed proposals he now has for relaxing the present restrictions on housing 9 construction to enable the Easington Rural District Council to proceed with its building programme, in view of the continued need for more housing in the area.
§ Mr. H. BrookeIf the Easington Rural District Council wishes to make special provision for old people by building flat-lets, I will see what can be done to help them. I have already told the council this and am now awaiting its proposals.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs the right hon. Gentleman will admit, that applies to old persons; but my Question is about the present restrictions on house building. Is the Minister aware that the present restrictions are imposing considerable hardship as well as a considerable amount of unemployment on building trade workers? Cannot he do anything about that? How long will these restrictions remain? Can he answer that?
§ Mr. BrookeAt the moment, we are seeking the programme for this year, and I have given the rural district, council an allocation which will enable it to maintain its rate of building broadly at what it has been doing for some time past. At the same time, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, Peterlee new town is in the area, and Peterlee's rate of completions is going up.