§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health whether the building scheme of the Benfieldside Urban District Council is being held up for want of the service of Mr. T. W. Barron, their architect; whether they have had great difficulty in finding a suitable man, with a knowledge of the district, for this work; whether the War Office refuse to demobilise Mr. Barron; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take?
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§ Dr. ADDISONA letter has recently been received from the district council to the effect of the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question. With regard to the third part, I understand that Mr. Barron is not within the classes eligible for demobilisation under the present Regulations and that the War Office do not feel able to make an exception to these Regulations in his case. I have requested that, in the event of any alteration of the Regulations, the claims of local authorities and their housing schemes should receive special consideration. I am requesting the Housing Commissioner to confer with the Benfieldside District Council, and I would suggest that the council should consult the Royal Institute of British Architects, who may be able to suggest the names of a number of architects capable of undertaking the work at once.