§ 40. Mr. WIGNALLasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the district of Grays there is still a waiting list of several hundred applicants for houses: that the Department recently gave consent to the erection of a further 25 houses by the urban district council; that, upon plans being submitted, the Department withheld its approval on the ground that the estimates were too high; that the local authority has pointed out that the figures given were estimates only; that it was proposed to carry out the work by direct labour, and that. every effort would, be made to keep the cost as low as possible; whether sanction has been given in other districts to the erection of houses without a limiting figure being fixed; and whether, in view of the admitted shortage of houses in the district in question, the proportionately large amount of unskilled labour which will be employed upon the houses proposed which are to be constructed on the Due-slab system, and that 1,020 men are unemployed in Grays alone and drawing unemployment benefit, he will reconsider this matter and give the necessary approval to the commencement of the work?
§ Sir A. MONDI am aware of the general housing conditions in this district and of the position of the local authority's housing scheme. I have made arrangements for a deputation from the council to be received to-morrow, and the question of the particular houses to which the hon. Member refers will he fully discussed at that interview.