HC Deb 20 January 1944 vol 396 cc377-8W
Sir H. Williams

asked the Minister of Health how many of the agricultural cottages were completed for occupation by 31st December; and how many were occupied.

Mr. Willink

The figures are 105 and 49 respectively.

Sir P. Hurd

asked the Minister of Health what is the present position of the emergency scheme for 3,000 farm cottages and the average cost of land and construction, respectively.

Mr. Willink

Acceptable tenders have been received and approved for 2,830 cottages. At 31st December, 105 cottages were finished and work was proceeding on 2,397 others of which 1,279 were roofed-in or at a more advanced stage. The information so far available as to finished costs relates to 54 cottages only, all of parlour type, and shows an average all-in cost of £994 per cottage, of which £39 10s. represents the cost of land and £954 10s. the cost of construction, including roads, water supply, architect's fees, etc.

Sir P. Hurd

asked the Minister of Health what is the extent and general character of the development plans submitted by rural district councils for the post-war period.

Mr. Willink

My hon. Friend is of course aware that rural district councils, in common with other local authorities, are submitting short-term housing programmes to be put in hand as soon as conditions permit. Proposals so far received from rural district councils cover 37,700 houses. In reply to my recent notification to local authorities that I am prepared to examine proposals for urgently needed post-war schemes for water supply and sewage and sewage disposal I have so far received from rural district councils four schemes for water supply and 10 for sewerage and sewage disposal; the total cost of the water schemes is estimated at £66,677 and the others at £778,367.

Mr. R. Morgan

asked the Minister of Health whether, when water mains and electric light cables pass unprovided houses and cottages in rural areas, he will consider calling on the owners to install facilities for both commodities.

Mr. Willink

Under the present law, owners of houses could be required to provide main water and electricity only if the absence of these services rendered a house in some respect unfit for habitation, but it will be appreciated that if alternative arrangements for the supply of water, lighting and heating were already in existence, the Courts to which the owner would have a right of appeal, might not uphold this view.