HC Deb 08 June 1943 vol 390 cc557-8W
Mr. Bossom

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what proportion of the additional labour charges in housing is attributable to the application of the Essential Work Order; how does this addition divide between costs of construction, and how much to time taken up by men standing by waiting for work or the weather?

Mr. Hicks

The cost of the application of the Essential Work Order to housing is estimated to be 1½ per cent. of the total.

Mr. Bossom

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he can give an analysis of how the increase of 105 per cent. in housing costs is made up over the pre-war cost sub-divisions?

Mr. Hicks

In view of the fact that tenders are at present being obtained for the war-time emergency programme of houses for agricultural workers, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis) by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health on 31st March, 1943, of which I am sending him a copy.