§ Mr. ISAACSasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been directed to the Circle A system of mass production factory-built houses manufactured from fully seasoned Douglas fir from Canada, or pitch pine from the United States of America, and lined internally with fire-resisting plaster panels and externally, if necessary, with insulating building board and stucco; whether he is aware that it is claimed that over 100,000 houses a year can be delivered from this source, that British ships would be put in commission to carry the material, British labour manufacture the houses in England, and British labour erect the 1322W houses without any dilution in the building trades, and that these houses can be erected very rapidly; and does he propose to take advantage of the facilities offered?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYMy attention has been called to the system referred to and to the claims made by its proprietors. The adoption of any particular form of building construction in connection with schemes for the erection of houses under the Housing Acts is a matter in the first instance for the local authorities. The Government does not propose to undertake the direct purchase of houses or materials for the production of houses.