§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Commissioner of Works what has been the average cost of the 5,178 houses built by His Majesty's Office of Works under the Addison Housing Scheme; what type of house has been built and how many have been built to the acre; how many men are employed on the 136 houses now under construction; how many of these men will be dismissed when these houses have been completed; and what is the reason for not building further houses, in view of the prevailing shortage over most of the country?
§ Mr. JOWETTThe average cost of the 5,178 houses built by the Office of Works is, approximately, £836, but many of these houses were constructed when wages and building materials prices were at peak level; the average cost of those now under construction is estimated to work out at from £400 to £450. These figures include the cost of roads, paths, sewers, and fencing, and every charge with the exception of the cost of the land. The types vary from flats consisting of living room, scullery and one bedroom, to houses consisting of living room, scullery, parlour and four bedrooms, with bathroom, etc. The number of houses to the acre varies from 10 to 12. Approximately 300 men are engaged on the houses now under construction. The whole of this labour is employed by contractors and not by this Department. The building of further houses depends on the general housing policy of the Government, which is at present under consideration.