§ Mr. E. J. Williamsasked the Minister of Health whether he realises the serious plight of building operatives on the suspension of building and housing schemes in Mid-Glamorgan and other parts of South Wales; and whether he is taking steps to review local government schemes with a view to their prosecution and the alleviation of unemployment in the building trades?
§ Mr. ElliotI can assure the hon. Member that I have the position of the building industry in these areas, as elsewhere, very much in mind. I am anxious that local authorities' housing schemes shall continue in as large a measure as circumstances permit and, with this object in view, I am keeping constant watch on the position in the light of the demand on building materials for other purposes and of the financial situation. I have already taken steps to enable local authorities in the counties of Brecon, Carmarthen, Glamorgan and Monmouth to proceed with nearly 1,700 houses on which they were engaged on the outbreak of war and have approved fresh housing proposals from certain of the rural districts.