§ Mr. Studholmeasked the Minister of Works how many hostels for dwelling purposes have been erected in this country to house industrial workers; accommodation for how many was thus provided; what proportion of this accommodation is now empty; and whether availability of accommodation in such hostels is brought to the notice of the Ministry of Health.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe total number of industrial hostels erected is 329, of a total capacity of 120,543. The reported vacancies in October number approximately 29,000. The hostels are designed for communal feeding, etc., and are therefore normally unsuitable for housing purposes without a large expenditure of labour and material on adaptations. Where not required, however, for other Government purposes for which they are better suited, the possibility of using them for housing is always considered, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, and one hostel has already been allocated for this purpose.