53. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will confer with the Minister of Health with a view to the extension of the provision of cottages for farm workers, having regard to his recent pronouncement on the necessity for increased production of food from the land?
Mr. HudsonI am in constant touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who realises as well as I do the 300 importance of securing as much additional accommodation as possible for agricultural workers, whether by way of new building, reconditioning or billeting. In view, however of the demands on labour and material for vital military needs, it would be wrong of me to hold out any hope of an increase in the number of cottages to be built this year.