§ Lieut.-Colonel Dowerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware that applications to repair damaged houses are frequently not made owing to the serious loss of time and labour involved in supplying plans and other requirements of the Ministry for which there is no compensation if the application is refused; and, in view of the urgent necessity for the provision of houses, whether he will consider paying reasonable costs of preparing plans or making alternative suggestions for carrying out the work by the Ministry in all reasonable cases?
§ Mr. HicksA new application form is being introduced this week which makes it clear that if plans or specifications have not already been prepared, a decision in principle on the application is given and plans and specifications only asked for subsequently if required. The cost of preparing such plans or specifications cannot, in the circumstances, be met from public funds.