§ Major PRESCOTTasked the Minister of Health whether he can give the present estimated shortage of houses in the country; whether he will state the number of houses provided for under approved schemes; whether he will give the number of houses for which the foundations have been laid during the past three months; and whether he is satisfied that the proposed future housing activities of local authorities and public utility societies will he adequate to the need?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe shortage of houses has generally been estimated at about 500,000, but I hope that more precise information on this point will inertly be available when the survey which local authorities are now making is complete. The number of houses for which plans have been approved is 27,500. Complete information as to the number of houses for which foundations have been laid is not yet available. Sites have already been approved for over 200,000 houses, I am not satisfied at present that the proposed activities of local authorities and public utility societies will be adequate to meet the national need, and am now engaged upon proposals for supplementing them.