§ LORD TWEEDSMUIRMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name on the Paper.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, how many houses have been completed in rural areas since January 1, 1946, and how many of these have been occupied by or allocated to agricultural workers.]
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, the number of houses completed in rural areas 953 in Great Britain since January 1, 1946, is as follows: Permanent houses, 6,285; temporary houses, 5,540. As the noble Lord is aware, a preferential subsidy is available to local authorities in respect of permanent houses provided for the agricultural population, and it is anticipated that this will ensure that a large proportion of permanent houses built will be allocated to agricultural workers. The numbers so allocated will, however, not be known until the local authorities concerned apply for the special subsidy.
§ LORD TWEEDSMUIRMy Lords, I am obliged to the noble Lord for his answer.