HC Deb 30 October 1947 vol 443 cc133-4W
Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount allocated per family in the Northern Rhodesian Development Plan for the erection of houses for Europeans; and what is the amount allocated for the erection of living accommodation for natives per head.

Mr. Rees-Williams

There is no specific allocation of funds in the Northern Rhodesia Development Plan for the housing of European families. Provision is made only for housing the additional Government staff required to carry out the programme of development. As regards African housing, it is not possible to give a figure of cost per head. A sum of £1 million is allocated for an intensive building programme in townships. This is estimated to cover the provision of 4,295 temporary houses in 1946–47 and 6,700 permanent houses in the next five years to meet the requirements of the African population in urban areas, which is estimated at approximately 40,000.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give particulars of the arrangements made for the provision of water in the housing arrangements for natives in the Northern Rhodesian Development programme.

Mr. Rees-Williams

Under the programme of urban housing for Africans in the Northern Rhodesian Development Plan, water will be provided on as liberal a scale as funds and materials permit. The initial minimum will be the provision of a bore-hole or well for every 50 houses; the ultimate aim is a piped water supply for every house.