HC Deb 13 February 1919 vol 112 cc315-6W
Major PRESCOTT

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the conditions and salary attached to the recent appointment of Director-General of Housing for England and Wales, the professional qualifications of the new Director-General, and his experience of town-planning operations and of the Town Planning and Housing Acts; the names and professional qualifications of the new Housing Commissioners, the conditions and emoluments attached to their respective offices, and full particulars relating to the technical staff recently appointed to deal with the proposed housing schemes; and whether the staff of superintending architects required by the Board of Agriculture in connection with the housing schemes of land settlement for discharged sailors and soldiers will work under the direction of and be responsible to the Director-General of Housing for England and Wales?

Dr. ADDISON

Sir James Carmichael has consented to act temporarily as Director-General of Housing under my Department. While so acting, I have proposed to him that he should accept an honorarium at the rate of £1,500 a year. He has had large experience of building operations, and has also rendered great service during the War as chairman of the Munitions Works Board and of the Committee on the Supply of Building Materials, and as a member of the Standing Council appointed by the Minister of Reconstruction on Post War Priority. He is Past President of the Institute of Builders and London Master-Builders' Association. The other posts referred to have not all been filled, and I am in communication with the Treasury as to remuneration and as to the technical staff to be engaged. When the county council is providing houses in connection with the land settlement schemes of the Board of Agriculture, arrangements have been made to prevent overlapping and to secure co-operation between the two Departments.