§ Sir HERBERT NIELDasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has considered, or is prepared to consider, a scheme under which his Department, by arrangement with the War Office, should acquire and distribute the huts no longer required for the accommodation of troops at a fixed agreed price, and that such distribution should be confined to those local authorities applying who possess powers under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts and in whose areas there is an acute shortage of house accommodation, such huts to be for temporary purposes only while the shortage exists; and whether, in conjunction with the War Office or other Department of the Government, he will make such provision as will ensure that these huts when sold shall not be the subject of profiteering?
§ Major ASTORMy right hon. Friend has been in communication for some time with the Department concerned in this matter, with a view to securing that every reasonable opportunity is offered to local authorities who desire to purchase huts and other similar accommodation for the purposes of any of their powers or duties. I do not think it would be wise to limit the purchase to housing purposes.