BRITISH LABOUR DEFEATS A CENSURE MOVE

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1950, Page 5

BRITISH LABOUR DEFEATS A CENSURE MOVE

Conservative Vote On Housing LONDON, Nov 7 (Recd 6 pm).—The British Labour Government last night defeated, by 12 votes, a Conservative challenge on one of the most controversial issues in domestic politicshousing. The Conservatives, led by Mr. Churchill, attacked Government insistence that the country could only afford 200,000 new houses a year. They urged 300,000 as the target and a vote on a virtual motion of censure. The next test of strength comes later today, when the Liberals will be allied with the Conservatives on a motion opposing Government plans to make economic controls permanent. During last night's debate, the Health Minister. Mr. Aneurin Bevan, warned Mr. Churchill that he was handling “dynamite” and described the Conservative campaign for more houses "organised hyprocisy.” Mr. Bevan alleged that slum landlords contributed to Tory Party funds. Mr. Churchill called Mr. Bevan: "A guilty Minister,'” who had incurred blame and condemnation for not offer-i ing a constructive housing statement. Mr. Churchill taunted Mr. Bevan by recalling a speech of four years ago, in

which the |lealth Minister said that the hack of the housing problem would be broken. Mr. Cur chill said there was no reason why the output per man in the British building trade should be lower than prewar, or so much lower than in the United States. Free from anxiety that their work would finish with the job, they could go ahead with piece work and other incentive schemes which might alone increase building by 20 to 25 per cent.