§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Health when the Portal prefabricated 41W houses, as now on exhibition, will be available for general use; and in what quantities.
§ Mr. HicksI have been asked to reply. As indicated by my Noble Friend in another place, the first question is the approval of the prototype. Thereafter, the timing and commencement of manufacture must necessarily depend upon the availability of materials and capacity, upon which the war effort has first call. It will take about six months after approval of the prototype for jigs and tools to be got ready. Once production started it would take about three months to work up to full production, which would be of the nature of from 2,000 to 2,500 houses a week.
§ Sir W. Edgeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the approximate cost of furnishing a prefabricated £550 house with either utility furniture or furniture acquired at average market rates, simplicity and cheapness being the main factors in assessing the cost.
§ Mr. DaltonEnough utility furniture to supplement the built-in metal furniture, and to enable a family of three to live in reasonable comfort in an emergency house, similar to the one now on show, would cost about £45 at the present controlled prices.