§ Mr. GOULDasked the Minister of Health whether he has received from the Cardiff City Council, either directly or through the housing commissioner, a protest against his action in refusing to approve housing contracts on the Ely site at prices mutually agreed on by the city engineer, the local master builders' association, and the representative of the housing commissioner; and whether, in view of the refusal of the City Council to reduce housing standards still further in order to secure lower prices, he will state what steps he proposes to take in order to meet the serious shortage of houses in the city?
§ Sir A. MONDI have no desire to reduce the standards of housing, but I regard the prices submitted by the local Master Builders' Association as excessive, and until a substantial reduction in the price is offered, I am of opinion that the extension of the scheme, under which some 1,000 houses are already in progress, should be deferred.