HC Deb 18 May 1943 vol 389 cc941-2W
Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Health whether plans and specifications for all the 3,000 war-time agricultural cottages have yet been completed; and whether he has had the assurance that the necessary building trade operatives and quantities of building materials will be available for each group at the time required?

Mr. E. Brown

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." On the second part, I would refer to the statements made on 1st April last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service and on 6th May by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).

Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Health the all-in estimated cost, including the services of water, electricity or gas and sanitation, but excluding the land allowance, for each different type of wartime agricultural cottage and the comparable highest and lowest all-in contract price accepted so far from a contractor for each type?

Mr. Brown

Many of the local authorities concerned will be obtaining competitive tenders for the building of houses for the first time since 1939 and whilst this process is proceeding it would be contrary to the public interest to announce the official estimates of cost or to make public comparison between the prices which different local authorities are proposing to accept. Before proceeding each local authority must obtain my approval to their scheme and this will not be given unless I consider the costs to be reasonable.