§ 90. Sir J. Lucasasked the Minister of Works if, in view of the complaints made that the city housing scheme at Portsmouth is being held up by the shortage of building materials, he will make a statement as to the result of the inquiry held by his Parliamentary Secretary.
§ Mr. WilsonOn behalf of my right hon. Friend I visited Portsmouth on the 10th May to look into allegations that the progress of housing in Portsmouth was being seriously impeded by a shortage of building materials. After informal meetings with the deputy chairman of the City Health Committee, corporation officials and also with representatives of both sides of the building industry, and in the light of all the available evidence, I formed the very definite conclusion that the allegations were seriously exaggerated. In only two cases on new permanent housing sites had there been any hold up, in both cases due to the difficulties in the supply of facing bricks—and there it appeared that those concerned had not acted early50W enough in notifying my Ministry. When we were finally notified, supplies were made available within a few days of notification. No other material hold up was reported. It was agreed by all concerned that there had been a considerable amount of unessential building work going on in the area and the Ministry and the local authority agreed on urgent measures for ending it. It was further agreed by all concerned that, whatever other factors may have been operating, neither lack of labour nor lack of materials is responsible for preventing any expansion of the City's housing programme at the present time