§ 53. Mr. Speirasked the Minister of Agriculture how many houses the Forestry Commission are proposing to build in Northumberland during the current year.
§ Sir T. DugdaleOne hundred and nineteen houses were in the process of construction at the beginning of the year on behalf of the Forestry Commission. Since then work has begun on a further 21, and two more are proposed. It is hoped that about 80 will be completed during the current year.
§ 54. Mr. Speirasked the Minister of Agriculture how many houses were built by the Forestry Commission in Northumberland during the three years ended 31st December, 1951; what was the average cost per house; and how that cost compares with the average cost of houses built by local authorities in that area.
§ Sir T. DugdaleEighteen new houses have been built, besides the conversion of existing buildings to provide 13 new dwellings. The contracts for the construction of the new houses included the provision of new roads and services, and the average cost was £2,600 per house. The cost of the local authority houses excludes the cost of roads, main drainage and sewers, and main electricity cables, and no comparison can be made.