§ Mr. J. Hollinsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, what building labour is needed for the erection of the Portal house; how many man-hours are required to complete one house with all fittings ready for occupation; whether any independent evidence has been obtained from contracting firms to support these estimates; and whether the building trade associations of employers and operatives have endorsede such figures.
§ Mr. HicksNormal building labour will be employed on the erection of the pressed steel bungalow. The number of man-424W hours required to complete one bungalow ready for occupation is estimated, as stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production, on Tuesday last, at 570, of which 220 is for the erection and fitting of the bungalow and the balance for foundations and all services. The figure for erection is based upon the experience of the erection of the several prototypes and the balance on normal building experience and practice.
§ Mr. Cluseasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether the Portal house is in all respects up to the standards recommended by the Burt Committee; and if he will state the variations and the reasons for not following the recommendations.
§ Mr. HicksThe Burt Committee have stated that they consider the materials and methods of construction of the pressed steel bungalow satisfy the requirements of an emergency house with a minimum life of 10 years. As stated by my Noble Friend on 2nd May last in another place, he was advised on such matters as heat insulation by the Building Research Station. In this respect the bungalow is not inferior to the normal brick house.
§ Mr. W. J. Edwardsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what arrangements have been made for the production of the Portal house; upon what date can the first deliveries be made; what quantities will be available in each quarter of 1945; and whether these dates and quantities have been agreed by all production departments including the Ministry of Supply and the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. HicksNo arrangements could be made for the bulk production of pressed steel temporary bungalows until approval had been given to the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Bill. As mentioned by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production' on the Second Reading of this Bill, certain jigs and tools have been ordered in anticipation of this approval. As regards the dates of delivery, I can only refer the hon. Member to the Minister of Production's statement on that occasion. As already announced, the main contracts will be placed by the Ministry of Supply.
Miss Wardasked the Minister of Health which local authorities in the Northern Region have informed him of their requirements for Portal houses.
425W
§ Mr. WillinkA circular was issued on 15th August to 40 local authorities in the Northern Region inquiring whether he Councils wished to apply for an allocation of temporary houses and, if so, how many.
The following authorities have replied:
Local Authority No. of houses asked for Durham West Hartlepool C.B. … … … 400 Stockton-on-Tees B. … … … 250 Consett U.D. … … … … 550 Crook and Willington U.D. … … 200 Felling U.D. … … … … 100 Chester-le-Street R.D. … … … 500 Durham R.D. … … … … 400 Easington R.D. … … … … 800 Northumberland Blyth B. … … … … 200 Ashington U.D. … … … … 50 Seaton Valley U.D. … … … 236 Yorkshire, North Riding Scarborough B. … … … … 100 Eaton U.D. … … … … 200
§ Mr. Cluseasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the urgency of immediate housing needs, any steps are being taken to encourage the manufacture of other types of houses in addition to the Portal house; whether the many firms interested in the production of such houses are being asked to assist in supplementing the supply of the Portal house by the provision of other types; and whether arrangements will be made to enable Members of this House, local authorities and the general public to see for themselves the various types of manufactured houses which can be made available.
§ Mr. WillinkI would refer my hon. Friend to the discussion which took place in this House on 26th September on the resumed Second Reading of the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Bill.