Orders of the Day — Housing

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 4 July 1949.

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Photo of Mr Derek Walker-Smith Mr Derek Walker-Smith , Hertford 12:00, 4 July 1949

I think that the people of this country will find it very difficult to understand the point of the right hon. Gentleman. To the people of this country the question of housing has nothing to do with petty personal considerations. To the people of this country the great task of housing the people is probably the most responsible task in the domestic field which can be entrusted to any Minister of the Crown, and the people of this country like to feel that that Minister, whoever he may be, is animated only by a desire to carry on the great task which has been given to him.

If they feel that the Minister puts that as a secondary consideration to such petty considerations as—[Interruption.]—I have already referred this evening to what I said in my maiden speech, that housing the people was in fact more important than any party political advantage. It is also in fact more important than any petty personal considerations of pride, pique or prejudice. So far as I am concerned, the only reason why I think that the Minister ought to have been here was in case anything should be said, not by me, but by my hon. Friends and his hon. Friends, which would help in this great task. The result of the Minister coming in has been only a little less disadvantageous to the Debate than the result of his staying out because it has unfortunately taken up a great deal of time which I should much rather have devoted to more serious and important subjects.

The Minister has referred to courtesy. So far as I know—I am in your hands, Major Milner—on the point of procedure—