39. Mr. PALMERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the necessity for increased housing accommodation in many areas and also in view of the unemployment in the building in- 603 dustry, he will cause local authorities to be informed that his circular of 1st July must not be interpreted as calling for the suspension of housing schemes where the local need is urgent?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Major Elliot)The hon. Member appears to have misinterpreted the Chancellor of the Exchequer's letter of the 1st July. That letter invited certain associations and bodies concerned with local government to explore the whole field of local expenditure by means of committees which would lay their views and recommendations before the Government, who would then consider and decide any issues of policy raised, subject, of course, to the final determination of Parliament. My right hon. Friend could not debar the committees from inquiring into particular items of expenditure or prejudge the issues which their reports may raise.