§ Mr. CLYNESasked the President of the Local Government Board if he will make inquiries as to how many housing inspec- 1121W tors have been appointed in Manchester and Salford under Article 2 of the Housing (Inspection of Districts) Regulations and the date of such appointments, and the number of houses inspected up to date under the above Regulations; whether the Manchester City Council and the Salford Borough Council have been notified that such inspections are obligatory; how many notices have been issued by the Manchester and Salford councils under Section 15 of the Housing and Town Planning Act; and inhow many cases have the respective councils deemed it desirable to execute work in default of the owners carrying into effect the notice given.
§ Major ASTORMy right hon. Friend has received communications from the Corporation of Manchester and Salford in regard to the subject matter of this question, and I will send a copy to the right hon. Gentleman. These Corporations cannot be regarded as inactive in carrying out their duties in regard to inspections of houses, as it must be borne in mind generally that during the War there has of necessity been a considerable slackening of work in this direction.