It is rather regrettable that the Minister for Local Government should not have taken the trouble to inform the many new Deputies in the House as to the exact scope of this measure and, in particular, as to the class of buildings in respect of which the remission of rates will be granted. I think that they might have been rather disquieted if he had told them that the purpose of this Bill was to grant a remission of rates to what might be described as "luxury" dwellings, dwellings other than those built with Government subsidy or for local authorities. I do not object to a remission of rates being granted in respect of any type of new building which is erected as a dwelling-house, whether it belongs to the category which was so severly criticised by members of the Government Party before they came into this House as luxury dwellings and dwellings for new industrial millionaires and others. I think that we ought to encourage all our people who can afford to do it out of their own resources to erect new dwellings for themselves if they require them. Therefore, with that in view, we are quite prepared to assent to the Second Reading of this Bill and to facilitate the Minister in passing it.
I do think, however, that it is a rather cynical performance to introduce a Bill with this object when the Minister, by his own policy, has decreed that building licences will not be given and material will not be available to those who wish to build other than subsidy houses or houses for local authorities. What is the use of telling a man that, if he builds a house for himself, he will get a remission of rates for a very limited period—I think the period is five years—while at the same time you tell him that you are not going to issue a building licence to him or allow him to resort to the common pool of building materials which may be available, and should be available, to all classes of citizens within reason? That is the position in which we find ourselves at present. As I have said, having regard to the restrictions which the Minister and those associated with him in the Government are imposing upon the house-building industry, I think it is a cynical performance to introduce this Bill in this House and to ask us to pass it. No person will be in a position now to commence the erection of a house and to have it completed by 31st March, 1949. If a man is lucky enough to secure a building licence and a supply of materials and commences the erection of a house, I do not know what his position will be if he has not the house completed and occupied by 31st March, 1949. My recollection is that it was necessary in other years to provide that this remission of rates would be granted retrospectively in respect of houses which were not completed within the statutory date.