54. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider taking some steps to prevent the turning of farm labourers' cottages into week-end houses, in view of the fact that this is detrimental to the agricultural community?
§ The Minister of Health (Sir Kingsley Wood)The decrease in the amount of accommodation available for the agricultural population through this cause was one of the matters dealt with in the recently published report of the Central 'lousing Advisory Committee. The Committee considered that the most effective remedy was the provision of further new houses to be let to agricultural workers at rents within their means and, as I have already announced, I propose to adopt their recommendation on this point. As regards cottages at present controlled under the Rent Restrictions Acts, the tendency to which my hon. Friend refers will, no doubt, be considered by the Departmental Committee at present investigating the working of those Acts.
Mr. De la BèreWill not the Government realise the real necessity for the farm labourers to own their own homes?