§ Mr. L. Smithasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Lanarkshire County Council is considering the erection of 500 timber houses in certain areas of the county; whether he will consider recommending an emergency policy of this nature to different housing authorities in Great Britain; whether there is any objection to the erection of such timber houses; and whether the by-laws of most local authorities 1323W permit of their erection or would have to be altered for the purpose?
§ Sir K. WoodThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second and third parts I am advised that suitably constructed timber houses are satisfactory but I do not think there is any necessity for me to issue any special recommendation to local authorities in England and Wales where the execution of housing programmes by normal methods has been less seriously hampered by shortage of bricklayers than has, I understand, been the case in Scotland. In regard to the fourth part of the question building bylaws should not generally provide an obstacle to the building of such houses.