§ Mr. Isaacsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in pursuance of Circular No. 1866, of the Ministry of Health, work upon the Baron's Place Housing Scheme of the Southwark Metropolitan Borough Council was suspended after a substantial amount of constructional work had been executed by the building contractors; whether he has now considered representations from the borough council requesting that, for reasons adduced by the borough council, they may now be permitted to complete the scheme; and if, having regard to the fact that building work is being permitted upon new cinemas, licensed premises, and other commercial buildings in London and elsewhere, he will now accede to the council s request and thus enable this housing scheme to be completed.
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§ Mr. ElliotI have carefully considered the representations made to me by the metropolitan borough council but have regretfully come to the conclusion that I could not treat this scheme, the flats and shops in which were stated by the council to be "at ground and first floor level," differently from other housing schemes of local authorities in a similar position. In this connection, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, which I recently gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin). As regards the other buildings mentioned in the Question, certificates for the release of controlled materials are not being issued save in exceptional circumstances, for example, the completion of a building in an advanced stage of construction.