§ Mr. FINNEYasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a resolution from the County-Borough Council, Stoke-on-Trent, expressing alarm at the increasing hardships that obtain in the borough owing to the shortage of houses, which is very largely due to the increase in the cost of building materials and the shortage of skilled labour, and calling upon the Government to release the large stocks of timber and other building materials now being held up, and to control the price thereof, and also to release from the Army all skilled labour of every trade in connection with house-building; and whether he will give the same favourable consideration and effect?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have received representations from local authorities with regard to the high cost of building and the shortage of skilled labour. The cost of materials has been under investigation by a Committee appointed under the Profiteering Act, and reports on timber and bricks have now been issued. Reports on cement and mortar are expected at any early date. With regard to the shortage of skilled labour, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the Prime Minister's statement last Tuesday. I do not think that any question now arises of the release of skilled men from the Army, inasmuch as the Army is now composed entirely of voluntarily enlisted men.