§ Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 18 unfinished houses in Middlesbrough could be completed at small cost to meet an acute need; and why he has refused to allow this work to go forward?
§ Mr. E. BrownIf, as I assume, my hon. Friend is referring to houses of which particulars have been furnished to me by the town council, the proposals would entail substantial demands on labour and materials. In view of the present restrictions I am not able to authorise the proposal which was submitted to me, but I am keeping it in mind in connection with the review of the position which I am undertaking in consultation with representatives of local authorities.
§ Sir A. Baillieasked the Minister of Health the number of partially-built houses now awaiting final construction in different parts of the country?
§ Mr. BrownThe latest statistical returns relate to the 31st March, 1942, at which date there were 11,600 dwellings, of which 7,426 were begun before the war, in various stages of construction in schemes approved under the Housing Acts. I have no similar information, at present, regarding dwellings under erection by private enterprise, but it is being obtained by my officers in the course of visits which they are paying to local authorities.