Mr. Temple Morrisasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether his Department has yet prescribed any policy to local authorities, whose areas have suffered heavily from enemy bombing, as to rebuilding or permanent repairing; and what is the policy on the subject being adopted by such local authorities?
§ Mr. HicksThe view of His Majesty's Government is that no permanent rebuilding or repairing should be undertaken at present unless it is in any particular case clearly in the national interest to devote labour and materials to such a purpose. In considering applications for licences to build, the Ministry of Works and Buildings is acting in accordance with that policy, the necessity for which is, I am sure, appreciated by local authorities. The question of the eventual redevelopment of bombed areas is under consideration.