§ 17. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will pay an official visit to all building firms which are building various types of timber frame houses, with a view to seeking ways to expedite a solution of the present housing shortage.
§ Mr. KaufmanWhile I cannot undertake a tour such as my hon. Friend proposes, I assure him that my Department is in close touch will all forms of house building, including timber frame construction.
§ Mr. HamiltonWhy is it necessary to import houses of this kind from Norway when there are firms in this country which are building such houses, which have a high insulation quality which should be taken into account when the Government are considering their new housing policy? Will my hon. Friend consult the Secretary of State for Scotland and, notably, the firm in my constituency, about which I have sent him details, which is building these houses and could absorb much more labour in building more of them if given the opportunity?
§ Mr. KaufmanWe are well aware of the virtues of such houses, especially in terms of insulation. I am also aware of my hon. Friend's concern about the case he has in mind. Our view is that, consistent with cost, it is always best to buy British.
§ Mr. Arthur JonesWould it not be a good thing to promote schemes which had reached a certain standard of satisfaction in construction and insulation—in 1544 other words, to promote designs which could be approved and which met the required standard? Would not this enable matters to proceed on a narrow front, rather than have a proliferation of house types?
§ Mr. KaufmanI refer the hon. Gentleman to a most interesting speech which I made on the motion for the Adjournment a few months ago.