Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the shortage of houses throughout the country, he will consider the institution, under the Defence of the Realm Act or otherwise, of temporary legislation whereby surplus houses in London or elsewhere may be borrowed from those owners who are in possession of more than one house or whose housing facilities are excessive, and that they may be let on suitable terms in order to provide housing facilities to the poorer sections of the community who are at present destitute of houses, and who are not likely to be provided therewith under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc., Bill for some time to come?
§ Major ASTORI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 3rd instant to a question put by the hon. Member for the Central Division of Hull, of which I will send him a copy.