HC Deb 22 January 1947 vol 432 cc60-1W
115. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Works the number of temporary houses that were completed and erected in Great Britain as at 31st December, 1946.

Mr. Tomlinson

Last May I set for my Department a target of 96,000 temporary houses of all types to be completed by the end of the year. The number actually completed for local authorities in Great Britain by the 31st December was 95,510. In addition a number of houses were completed for certain other public authorities bringing the total to over 96,000. With the exception of about 3,000, all the houses also had services laid on. This result has been achieved only by the most intensive co-operative effort on the part of all concerned, and in spite of difficulties which were not contemplated at the time when the programme was set. I should like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the contractors and workpeople both in the factories and on the sites and to testify to the assistance given to my Department by the Departments of my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Supply.