§ 52. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made in the last month in the provision of housing by the application of more modern methods of planning and housing construction, and by the use of new materials; and what further assistance he will give to local authorities so that houses shall be provided in the same manner as modern offices have been erected in all cities.
§ Sir K. JosephMy Department are collaborating with local authorities and contractors on the use of industrialised building systems, including standardised components, for flats and houses. A number of authorities are already using industrialised methods and more are planning to do so. In order to ensure continuity of work on an adequate scale, discussions are currently taking place to encourage local authorities to work in groups and to pool their programmes. It must of course be some time before these developments can effect out-put but in time they should contribute to a rising rate.